La Virgen y el Nino

Lares group, active mid 19th century-mid 20th century · ca. 1875-1900

This santo shows the Virgin Mary supporting the Christ child on her forearm. The curved lines of her costume and deep grooves defining her long strands of hair create a sense of physical energy, and the stippled dots typify the Lares group's playful decoration. A milagro (a small token, often of a body part, that represents a miracle of healing) hangs from her right hand as an offering of thanks from a worshiper. As with many santos, this figure's original symbols, which were probably held in her hands, have been lost.