Retablo - Santa Maria c. 1939

Majel G. Claflin made this Retablo of Santa Maria with paint on board. There’s something really special about the way the artist uses colour here. It’s not about being precise; it’s more about feeling. Look at the red of the Virgin’s dress against the green of her cloak, they bleed into each other with such a loose, flowing brushstroke. And the board itself! You can see its raw texture beneath the paint, adding another layer to the artwork. It reminds you that art is not just about the image, it’s about the materials, the process, the journey the artist took. Notice the halo around Mary's head, with the imperfect lines radiating out, each one slightly different from the last. To me it speaks to a bigger idea, that art doesn’t have to be perfect to be powerful. I'm reminded of Frida Kahlo, who took similar folk traditions and created her own intense visual language.