What is a New Mexico Santo?

The folk-art of the New Mexican Santero (maker of saint images) arose out of the need for religious images in the settlements. Usually a member of the settlement, the Santero was in most instances a self-taught craftsman. Utilizing crude tools at his disposal, he fashioned representations of the saints dear to the inhabitants from wood and jaspe (gypsum) known today as New Mexican Santos. Two craftsmen, Jose Dolores Lopez and George Lopez, are widely recognized for their carvings. For seven generations the Lopez families of Cordova, New Mexico have been 'santeros.' Countless articles have been written about them but this book is written by one of the family. Eluid Levi Martinez tells the inside story of the beginning of this fascinating art in both English and Spanish. Illustrated with photographs. * * * * * Eluid Levi Martinez was born in the mountain village of Cordova, New Mexico. A self-taught artist, his work is in the permanent collections of the National Museum of American History, the National Museum of American Art, the Museum of American Folk Art, the Denver Art Museum and others. He began carving Santos during 1971 with the goal of perpetuating not only his heritage, but also an art form indigenous to the New Mexico area.