Rustic 19th Century Nino

Small, rustic Spanish Colonial Nino in wood on chair (later). Unlike the finer, "courtly" religious sculptures that had gesso layers and glossy finishes, this rustic Niño was simply carved wood. The artist would paint directly onto the wood grain, often with natural pigments, giving the figure a much more organic and raw texture. Instead of rich silk or velvet robes, rustic Niños were dressed in simple burlap (also called "costal" in some regions — meaning sackcloth). Burlap symbolized poverty, humility, and Christ’s connection to the poor and everyday people. Sometimes the burlap was hand-embroidered or lightly decorated, but often it was left very simple and rough.

2.5x3x6H

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