Plate 7: Our Lady of Mt. Carmel: From Portfolio "Spanish Colonial Designs of New Mexico" 1935 - 1942

Editor: Here we have "Plate 7: Our Lady of Mt. Carmel," part of the "Spanish Colonial Designs of New Mexico" portfolio, created sometime between 1935 and 1942. It seems to be watercolor and ink on paper. I find the juxtaposition of the iconic religious imagery with what looks like Indigenous-inspired decorative elements really intriguing. What do you see in this piece from a formalist perspective? Curator: The first element that draws my eye is the graphic boldness of the forms and lines. Note the flatness of the picture plane and how shapes are defined by sharp contours, rather than shading. This simplification reduces depth and emphasizes the two-dimensional quality of the work. Editor: Yes, and the color palette seems quite deliberate as well, with those earth tones contrasting with the brighter blues and reds. Curator: Precisely. Consider how the color contributes to the structural integrity. Observe that the limited range, applied in flat planes, works to unify the diverse iconographic components and folk-art floral element. This gives the image visual coherence. What effect do you think the symmetry of the composition achieves? Editor: I guess it gives a sense of balance, reflecting the traditional religious aspect, while the stylized folk-art motifs make it unique. Curator: Exactly! This tension between tradition and stylization defines much of the work’s character. Editor: That’s fascinating! I never thought about analyzing it that way before. Seeing it purely through the lines, colors, and shapes really brings out a new layer of meaning for me. Curator: It's by closely observing and decoding the visual structure that the cultural intent becomes clearer, wouldn't you agree?