Title: Saint Isidore – The Patron Saint of
Agriculture
Medium: Oil and metal
leaf (sterling silver, composition gold and copper) on three,
hinged birch wood artisan panels.
Size: Center
36”x15 ¾” Side Panels 28”x8”.
Apx. total when open 36"x36"
Year: 1998
Image
Inspiration:
This altar is painted in the tradition of a Santos. A Santos
illustrates the reasons for sanctification and gives the viewer
the gift of continual reminder of the blessings of God. St.
Isidore was an eleventh century Spanish saint. When his feudal
lord came to reprimand him for spending too much time in prayer
he was shocked to see Angels plowing Saint Isidore’s
fields. In the winter, St. Isidore would spill the grain on the
ground to feed the birds yet the food bins would miraculously
re-fill and neither people or birds suffered hunger during
winter.
Center Panel
All is provided in this scene honoring the faith of Saint
Isidore. The center panel glows with an abundance of earthly
blessings. An Angel brings all that is needed for a plentiful
harvest. Sun, rain and fertile earth blend in swirls of birds,
blue sky and a rainbow of eternal hope. Below the Angel,
flowers bloom, a river nourishes the ground and fallow fields
rejuvenate for next year’s crop. The birds symbolize the
Holy Spirit and the sun represents God.
Left Panel
Saint Isidore spills forth an abundant harvest of grain,
fruits and vegetables.
Right Panel
A robust Angel carries a tool to help Saint Isidore reap
God’s harvest.
Backside of the
Altar
The surface is covered in metal leaf with oil painted
birds. A sunflower and stalks of grain grow up to a copper bird
in flight. The sun radiates hot, nurturing light.
To purchase this art or commission a retablo, contact Cristina
