Ancient Artifacts & Antiquities, May
Lot 321:
RARE 18th to 19th Century Cusco Painting "Saint Marta (Martha) with Tarasque "
18th to 19th Century Cusco Painting of Saint Martha. An elaborately illustrated painting by artisans of the school of Cusco in Peru. The Cusco School style, which is renowned for its vibrant and detailed religious artwork originating from colonial Peru. These paintings often feature dramatic imagery, intricate designs, and a blend of indigenous and European artistic influences. Saint Martha is a revered figure in Christian tradition, known as the sister of Mary and Lazarus. She is often associated with hospitality and service, as depicted in the Bible. In the Gospel of Luke, Martha is remembered for welcoming Jesus into her home and being diligent about serving Him, though she is gently reminded by Jesus to also focus on spiritual matters, like her sister Mary does.In the Gospel of John, Martha shows her faith when she declares her belief in Jesus as the Messiah, even as she mourns the death of her brother Lazarus who Jesus later raises from the dead. This profound moment highlights her deep trust in His divine power.Saint Martha is considered the patron saint of cooks, servants, and homemakers. Her feast day is celebrated on July 29th in the Western Christian tradition. The dragon in this painting is a portrayal of Tarasque on a chain connected to the cross in Saint Martha’s hand. The Tarasque is a fascinating creature from French folklore, specifically from the region of Provence. According to legend, it was a fearsome dragon-like beast with a lion’s head, a turtle’s shell, a scaly tail, and six bear like legs. The depiction in this painting deviates from that image some looking more like a hell hound breathing fire. Tarasque was known for terrorizing villages, destroying crops, and eating livestock or anything in its path.The story goes that Saint Martha, a figure from Christian tradition, tamed the Tarasque by using prayers and hymns, rendering it docile. The villagers, who had previously feared the beast, attacked and killed it despite its newfound gentleness. Regretful of their actions, they named the nearby town Tarascon in the creature’s memory. Ex Chuck and Eileen Hoffman Collection. Chuck and Eileen were schoolteachers in Lima Peru in the 1980’s. This is one of the many treasures they came home with to remind them of the people and culture they were a part of at that time in their lives. Most paintings from the period in Peru were Religious in nature. Painted on a tightly woven cotton or linen canvas the painting is in good condition for its age. It does have the cracking and small chipping on the surface that is expected for a painting of its age. The canvas appears to have been reframed to better preserve this painting. This painting measures 21 1/4" by 15 3/8". This is the real deal folks….don’t hold back! This work was not signed by the artist which was the norm at Cusco in the 18th and 19th Century.
Condition: Authentic
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