Detail from Main Reredos at Sanctuario Church, Chimayo 1935 - 1942

E. Boyd made this watercolor detail from the Main Reredos at Sanctuario Church in Chimayo. The piece employs a limited colour palette, dominated by a soft pink wash, which gives it a delicate, almost ethereal quality. The arms reaching toward the cross become a focal point, emphasizing the act of reaching, maybe of seeking connection and solace. I find the vulnerability in the hands, marked with stigmata, especially moving. The paint seems applied in thin layers, allowing the paper's texture to subtly show through, adding depth to the composition. The crown of thorns at the bottom right anchors the composition, its circular form a sharp contrast to the linear structure of the cross. This work has some things in common with Marsden Hartley's religious paintings. While Hartley is bolder, both artists use color and form to convey spiritual and emotional weight, suggesting that art, no matter the style, can offer a space for contemplation and introspection.