Charles M. Carrillo Nativity Retablo — New Mexico Santero

This finely carved and hand-painted Nativity retablo by Charles M. Carrillo (American, b. 1956) embodies the living tradition of New Mexican santero art. A master craftsman and National Heritage Fellow, Carrillo is celebrated for reviving the devotional arts of 18th-century Spanish Colonial New Mexico through authentic techniques, natural pigments, and heartfelt iconography.

The stepped wooden nicho opens to reveal the Holy Family and an angel, each figure individually carved and vividly painted in Carrillo’s distinctive folk palette. The hinged doors bear celestial motifs of the sun and moon, symbolic of divine presence and the passage from darkness to light. The reverse is signed “Charles M. Carrillo.”

Carrillo’s dual calling as anthropologist and artist enriches his work with cultural precision and spiritual depth. His pieces—held by the Smithsonian American Art Museum and other major collections—honor the continuity of Hispanic devotional art while inviting a contemporary reverence. This Nativity tableau unites scholarship, craftsmanship, and faith in one luminous expression of New Mexico’s sacred heritage.

Condition

Very good overall; no remarkable damage. The rustic finish is intentional to the artist’s design. Paint colors remain vibrant with only light surface wear. Hinges and hanging hardware are secure. Please review photos for complete details.

Dimensions

• Overall: 15" H × 13 ¼" W × 4 ¼" D
• Joseph: 6 ¾" H × 3 ¾" W × 2 ¼" D
• Mary: 5" H × 2 ⅜" W × 2 ¼" D
• Angel: 5" H × 3" W × 1 ½" D

Please Note: Soup for Scale in Photo

• Jesus: 2 ½" H × 3 ¼" W × 1 ½" D
  (Soup can shown for scale.)

Artist Note

Dr. Charles M. Carrillo is among the foremost living santeros of the American Southwest. Trained as an archaeologist and anthropologist, he reconstructs early Spanish Colonial techniques—using hand-adzed wood, homemade gesso, and natural pigments—to create works that feel both ancient and alive. Awarded the 2006 National Heritage Fellowship by the National Endowment for the Arts, Carrillo’s art bridges past and present, honoring faith, culture, and the enduring power of handmade devotion.