Saint Joseph with Baby Jesus and Anima Sola, c. Late 19th C. Santos Painting on Wood Panel wire work egg basket such a beautiful shape

such a beautiful shape

perfectly aged with tons of craquelure

With a sad and a gay face

making it feel very much as one with the swirl of nature all around it

Saint Joseph with Baby Jesus and Anima Sola, c. Late 19th C. Santos Painting on Wood Panel wire work egg basket such a beautiful shapeSaint Joseph witj baby Jesus was a common subject of santos paintings, with the child often holding a globe, as here, and Joseph with a lily blooming staff. More uncommon though, and what makes me especially love this one, is the inclusion of an Anima Sola, or "lonely soul" suffering in Purgatory, depicted here at lower right, licked by flames and perhaps the raison d'etre for the painting, appealing for salvation. Oil on wood panel, with very rich