Santanova Semaphore Steel & Stained Glass Sculpture, NM, 1990s

Floor-standing welded steel sculpture consistent with the hand of Las Cruces artist Santiago Santanova, referencing the visual grammar of early 20th-century semaphore railroad signaling. A six-rung ladder form fabricated from square-section steel tube cantilevers at a pronounced diagonal off a vertical post, its upper end capped with a deep red leaded stained glass triangle pointing downward — the classic semaphore "danger" position. At the ladder's lower end, a pair of red stained glass roundels hang in vertical sequence, their circular frames set in leaded came and suspended on a small ring link. The burnished upper armature is welded with visible hammer marks and grinding traces that give the piece a working-material honesty; below, the cruciform I-beam base is heavily oxidized to a warm rust-brown that the artist appears to have accepted — and likely intended — as a patination counterpoint to the polished structure above. The signature "Santanova" is welded in flowing bead script directly into one arm of the base.

Santanova trained in painting and sculpture at the University of Colorado and placed monumental works in industrial parks, churches, and private collections across the United States and internationally. He and his late wife Zandra established themselves in the Mesilla Valley in 1995 — the fabrication year consistent with this work — and received a 2005 Art in Public Places Award from the Doña Ana Arts Council for permanent installations including works at Holy Cross Catholic Church and the First Step Center in Las Cruces. A companion bird sculpture signed and dated "Santanova / 95" appears in the same auction, corroborating artist and period for this piece.

CONDITION

Good overall with commanding sculptural presence. The cruciform I-beam base displays heavy surface rust, pitting, and oxidation throughout, consistent with extended outdoor display and likely part of the artist's intended material contrast. The upper welded steel armature retains a mottled, burnished finish with light surface scuffing and grinding marks that appear original to fabrication rather than damage. All three stained glass elements — the apex inverted triangle and both suspended roundels — appear intact with no visible cracks, losses, or separation to the leaded came.

DIMENSIONS / SPECIFICATIONS

• Approx. 104" H × 46" W × 36" D
• Materials: welded square-section steel tube, leaded stained glass (red)
• Base: cruciform I-beam, oxidized/rusted steel
• Glass elements: one inverted triangle (apex), two circular roundels (lower ladder end)
• Roundels suspended via small ring link at ladder's lower terminus
• Signed "Santanova" in welded bead script on base
• Bob Ross (6'2") Shown for Scale