Santo c. 1937

This Santo, by Ranka S. Woods, is a carved and painted wooden sculpture, a traditional form used in religious devotion. The choice of wood is significant; readily available, it’s a humble material worked with simple tools. Look at the way Woods has shaped the wood. The figures are blocky, not refined, and the paint is applied directly, with visible brushstrokes. This directness speaks to the maker’s hand, emphasizing process over polish. The three faces, bound by a chain, might represent the Holy Trinity or perhaps a more complex theological idea specific to Woods’s cultural context. The roughly worked surface and the unpretentious materials challenge any separation of folk art from “high art.” Instead, the sculpture invites us to consider the social function of religious imagery and the labor involved in its creation. Ultimately, the Santo’s power resides not in technical virtuosity, but in its capacity to embody faith through modest means.