A striking antique devotional oil painting in the Spanish Colonial (New Spain) tradition, depicting a crowned young virgin martyr. The piece is unrestored and offered exactly as acquired – a rare opportunity for a collector or gallery to conserve and preserve an authentic period devotional canvas. The canvas is inscribed across the upper field, flanking the figure’s head, in the traditional colonial manner. The lettering appears to read: Sta. The Saint & Its Significance. Santa Susana (Saint Susanna) is venerated as an early virgin martyr of the Church. In Spanish Colonial devotional painting she is shown, as here, crowned and accompanied by the martyr’s palm – the crown and palm together being the traditional emblems of a martyr’s victory of faith. The figure’s upward gaze and raised hand express devotion and supplication. Single-figure saint portraits of this kind were made throughout New Spain for private chapels, convents, and household altars. Oil on hand-loomed linen. Half-length depiction of the saint in three-quarter view, wearing a pearl diadem with a central floral medallion, gold-trimmed mantle, and a drop earring, set against a dark atmospheric ground with a martyr’s palm behind the head. Warm earth-toned palette with gilded highlights. The hand-woven canvas, deep age craquelure, and inscription convention are all consistent with the Spanish Colonial provincial tradition. Antique and completely unrestored. The painting shows craquelure throughout, areas of paint loss and lifting (notably upper corners), darkening and surface grime in the lower register, and general wear consistent with considerable age. It has not been cleaned, lined, or overpainted by me – it is offered in its honest, untouched state and is an excellent candidate for professional conservation. Please review all photos closely; they form part of the condition description. Acquired directly by me from Galería Trocadero on Avenida México in Guadalajara, Jalisco – a multigenerational family gallery that has been curating fine art and antiques at the same location for over a century. A Note on the Photos. I photograph each piece against several different backgrounds, and sometimes shown with a frame, to help you visualize it in a real room or setting. The backgrounds and any frame shown are for visualization only and are not included – you will receive the unframed canvas as described. Collector & Gallery Value. Pieces from my collection are sometimes acquired by private collectors and galleries. Each piece is professionally packaged by Diseños de Cartón on Avenida México in Colonia Americana, and I personally hand-deliver every package to my local DHL office. Any questions, please reach out to me directly – no AI here, all human service.
