Plate 39: St. John Nepomuk Bulto: From Portfolio "Spanish Colonial Designs of New Mexico" 1935 - 1942

Curator: Well, my first thought is a silent film. There’s a stillness and geometry here, almost theatrical, heightened by the strange lighting. Editor: This is Plate 39: "St. John Nepomuk Bulto: From Portfolio 'Spanish Colonial Designs of New Mexico,'" a drawing done between 1935 and 1942 by an anonymous artist. It uses watercolor as its medium and embodies both folk-art and figuration in its depiction of this saint. Curator: That crown of black spikes is so odd! Not exactly regal, is it? It reminds me more of jagged rocks than anything divine. And those hands, slightly outstretched, like he's offering...what? Editor: Indeed, that peculiar crown marks this figure as Saint John Nepomuk, often depicted with stars or, in this case, spiky coronets symbolizing the stars that reputedly appeared after his martyrdom. He’s venerated as a protector from slander and a saint of good reputation. It's fascinating to see how this watercolor illustration captures the essence of Spanish Colonial devotional art from New Mexico. The Bulto itself—that's the carved wooden sculpture—would've been a tactile, immediate object of faith for a community. This drawing becomes a record, a study, a form of preservation. Curator: So it's about memory, then? Maybe that's why it feels so weighted. The colors are subdued; not a lot of vibrant energy—it's like looking back at something time has weathered, but there is tenderness for something past. What feels incredibly touching is its simplicity. Editor: And its starkness, isn’t it? The directness speaks volumes. This drawing underscores how religious icons functioned as touchstones within specific socio-cultural frameworks, serving to connect individuals to something bigger. The choice of watercolor softens what I imagine was a rather powerful form. It makes one consider how these cultural symbols continue to change as society does. Curator: Thinking about his silence...how he died for refusing to break a confidence. Looking at this artwork really feels like stepping into that silence, considering his sacrifice. Editor: A potent reflection—thanks for illuminating the many ways in which a relatively simple drawing continues to teach and remind.