Ex Voto; Holy Tribute for the Return of Good Health, Retablo, 1944

Ex Voto; Holy Tribute for the Return of Good Health. Oil on tin with ink, February 9, 1944, anonymous Mexican artist with a contemporary custom frame hand-carved by artisan Michael Blatnik. Ex-Voto is 7 ½ x 6 ¾ inches and outer framed dimension is 15 ¼ x 14 ½ inches

Narciso Silva: da gracias a Fray Antonio Margil de Jesus. Por el grandisimo favor que le hizo de darje su salud, despues de una enfermedad que tuvo. Y en testimonio de gratitud le ofrezco el presente. San Miguel de Allende Febrero 9 de 1944

Translation; Narciso Silva gives thanks to Father Antonio Margil of Jesus for the great favor he did him by giving his health back after an illness he had. And in testiminy of gratitude I offer this painting (Ex-Voto).
San Miguel de Allende, (Mexico) February 9, 1944

What is an ex-Voto?
When a person survived a life-threatening situation or personal calamity, they would subsequently hire an artist to depict their story of diving intervention. They were created to offer thanks to the saint or deity who healed them and were considered an object given as a fulfilment of a vow. Although ex-votos originated as simple images of saints, eventually they were embellished with a short narrative describing the miracle that transpired. Once completed, these accounts would hang in the church as public professions of gratitude or faith. After a year, the vow was considered fulfilled and the ex-voto would be destroyed or sold.
Diego Rivera and Frida Kaho were avid collectors of ex-votos and because of their interest this wonderful form of folk art became popular among artists and aficionados alike.