saint sculpture

Wearing an elaborate crown, Our Lady of Mount Carmel extends her arms in benediction. Alejandro Chávez portrays the Madonna named for Mount Carmel in the Holy Land, where a chapel was built in her honor before her assumption into heaven. In 1251, she appeared in England, offering favors and protection to those who wear her scapular. Also known as Immaculate Virgin and Star of the Sea, she inspired the Carmelite order.

Known as a retablo, this traditional diorama is housed in a colorful chest crafted of wood and painted. Chávez carefully models each figure and paints them by hand.

Alejandro Chávez depicts Saint Martín de Porres, a Dominican brother born in Lima in 1579. Trained in the medical arts, Martin worked in the convent infirmary but also showed great compassion to the sick outside the convent. Chávez crafts the wooden box to house this retablo, or diorama, and paints it in bright colors. The figures are carefully modeled from ceramic plaster and painted by hand.

Cradling little Jesus in her arms, the Virgin of Mount Carmel smiles with maternal love. Alejandro Chávez portrays the Madonna named for Mount Carmel in the Holy Land, where a chapel was built in her honor before her Assumption into heaven. In 1251 she appeared in England, offering favors and protection to those who wear her scapular. Also known as Immaculate Virgin and Star of the Sea, she inspired the Carmelite order.

This traditional diorama is known as a retablo; each figurine is modeled by hand.

Surrounded by flowers, the Virgin of Guadalupe is queen of the heavens. She first appeared in Mexico in 1531 and, as proof of her visit, caused roses to bloom at the site. Named Patron Saint of the Americas by Pope John Paul II, she is a beloved manifestation of the Catholic faith. Alejandro Chávez recreates the portrait that appeared miraculously on the tilma (cactus fiber cloak) of Saint Juan Diego in 1531. He creates the image in a traditional diorama known as a retablo; each figurine is modeled and painted by hand.