Old Bulto San Lorenzo 1935 - 1942

Curator: This watercolour piece, created sometime between 1935 and 1942, is called 'Old Bulto San Lorenzo,' by Conrado Barrio. Editor: Well, my first thought is, what a study in stillness. There's something very quiet and posed about it, from the gentle palette to the way the figure holds itself. It’s carefully balanced, even though it’s off-center on the page. Curator: It’s quite possible Barrio was interested in depicting the continuation of religious folk art traditions within specific communities during a period of rapid cultural transformation, potentially within Indigenous Americas communities. Editor: I see the formal echo between the rope across the chest and the vertical stripes of the tunic. That use of line is very effective at unifying the figure despite the differing textures. Curator: The "Bulto" itself represents a localized artistic practice of carving religious icons, often Saints, for worship and veneration in homes or small village churches, imbuing the work with an important social purpose. Editor: You know, that simplified form gives a sense of almost naive devotion, doesn't it? Like the figure is presented in a spirit of reverence, and in a way that perhaps, mirrors its original physical creation. Curator: Exactly, it can also act as a symbolic form, as devotional effigies historically offer believers tangible connection points that serve the collective culture, spiritual beliefs and communal ties. Editor: It's a lovely piece, regardless of what we know of its socio-political context. It invites us to pause, consider its balanced composition, and quietly reflect. Curator: Agreed. Appreciating the nuances within this drawing enriches our understanding of folk art's influence.