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The piece offered here exemplifies a technique of photo-sculpture that began in Mexico City in the 1930s. They were commissioned by Mexican and Mexican American families to celebrate significant events such as weddings and quinceaneras, to memorialize the dead and to honor individuals. The photo-sculpture tradition is secular but it would be common to find displayed in a home altar.
These three dimensional images incorporate photography, painting and sculpture. The process would begin with printing a photo of the celebrated individual and adhering it to a wooden bust support. Each photo would then have unique accents in paint and assemblage added: various hair, jewelry, and clothing details would thusly be given a three-dimensional element. Though the design and construction were dictated by the necessities of easy mass production, each photo-sculpture is truly unique.
The sculpture is housed in a handsome rectangular wooden frame with a freestanding wooden base. The frame places the sculpture between two pieces of glass held into place with simple upholstery tacks. The front piece of glass is beveled and the back piece has a seamed edge: both pieces of glass are from the original manufacturer. This photo-sculpture features a beautiful dark-haired woman wearing a simple blue dress. The woman has been given earrings and a necklace made of gold leaf. She gazes to her right with dignity.
Condition is excellent.
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