Santo Bulto (Santiago or San Diego) 1938

Eldora P. Lorenzini made this drawing, titled Santo Bulto, in 1938 using graphite and watercolor. Lorenzini’s drawing depicts a hand-carved sculpture of Santiago, or San Diego, on horseback. Santo Bultos such as this one are devotional objects, often found in homes, churches, and other sacred spaces throughout the southwestern United States. The original sculptures are made from wood, often cottonwood, a lightweight material easy to carve with simple tools. The figure is depicted holding a spear, or sword, aloft in his right hand, ready to strike. The artist sensitively captures the texture of the wood, the rough carving marks, and the application of paint. Lorenzini’s choice of watercolor on paper translates the three-dimensional object into a two-dimensional image, and it invites us to consider the labor involved in both the original carving and its painted surface. This drawing collapses any assumed hierarchy between 'fine' art and 'craft', underscoring the cultural significance and devotional power of these handmade objects.