COLLECTION NAME:
Santo Collection
Record
Creator display:
Ortega, Tony (American artist, born 1958)
Creator role:
creator
Date display:
2011
Title:
San Juan Francisco Regis
Title:
Saint John Francis Regis
Title:
Saint Jean Francois Regis
Note Fr. Steele:
"This retablo (painted in 211) of the University's patron saint is typical of images made in the santero tradition of the Southwest. Painted on pine, with an initial surface of rabbit skin glue and ground gypsum, Mr. Ortega used natural water color pigments to create the delicate image of the French Jesuit saint. The image is painted flat on the picture plane and there are a number of symbolic elements in the composition that include two snowflakes in the top lunette portion of the design, indicating the mountains of Southern France in which John Francis did much of his ministry, including difficult treks through the snow to reach the villages. The lace-like quality of the snowflake also alludes to the work John Francis did to change the lives of women in le Puy, France by giving them a chance at lace making instead of prostitution for their livelihoods. In the main portion of the retablo, the saint is shown dressed in the typical, simple black robe of the Jesuits of his time. He carries a crosier, a pastoral staff which represents authority and jurisdiction, and a cross in the other hand, which symbolizes his zeal for preaching the Gospel. Behind him are mountains, referring again to the mountainous region of his ministry, and also to the mountains that are the backdrop to the University which bears his name. The dove within the painting represents the Holy Spirit and the open curtains on either side are a traditional pictorial device of santero painting that indicates that the pictured saint is ready to receive prayer requests. The artist, Tony Ortega, (Born: 1958) has been creating art since his childhood. He studied at the University of Colorado in Boulder, receiving his BA in business and Spanish. He received an Associate Degree at Rocky Mountain School of Art and later returned to the University of Colorado where he earned an MFA in drawing and painting. He has been a professor in Regis University's Fine Arts program since 24. Mr. Ortega's work is known throughout the Southwest. His works are in the collections of the Denver Art Museum, the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, the Los Angeles County Museum and the collection of the Museo Estudio Diego Riviera, in Mexico City. This retablo is presented to Fr. Michael Sheeran, S.J., with gratitude, upon the completion of his term as President of Regis University."
Inscription:
on back: San Juan Francisco Regis / Saint John Francis Regis / Tony Ortega / Aug 2011
Location name:
Denver
Location name:
Colorado
Source name:
Thomas J. Steele, S.J.: The Regis University Collection of New Mexico and Colorado Santos.
Work type:
retablos (panel paintings)
Acquisition note:
2008
Accession number:
RU0864
Measurements display:
48 x 28.5 cm
Rights text:
IN COPYRIGHT - EDUCATIONAL USE PERMITTED