James Cordova Arts

Retablo, 2001

Hand-carved wood, home-made gesso, water-based natural pigments, piñon-resin varnish.

San Juan Vianney (Saint John Vianney)

The patron saint of parish priests, John Vianney was a nineteenth-century French priest whose qualities of simplicity, perseverance and unfettered faith won him sainthood. Although Vianney unsuccessfully attempted to become a priest on several occasions, his simplicity won the favor of his bishop and he was eventually accepted into the priesthood. Images of Vianney portray him as a cassock and confessional stoll as he was known for his talent at administering the sacrament of penance.