Teodoro Vidal Collection of Puerto Rican History

Explore Puerto Rico’s history, from the 16th to the 20th centuries, through the eyes of collector Teodoro Vidal. Vidal captured the island’s history by collecting thousands of objects. Over 80 artifacts are featured here.

The lore surrounding the Virgin of Monserrat originated in the jagged mountains of Catalonia, in northeastern Spain.
Description
The lore surrounding the Virgin of Monserrat originated in the jagged mountains of Catalonia, in northeastern Spain. In 1599, when she is said to have appeared to Gerardo González, a farmer, near Hormigueros, in southwestern Puerto Rico, she acquired a new set of traditions and imagery, unique to the island. Like many Madonnas, the Virgin of Monserrat is usually shown seated on a thrown, with her son Jesus Christ on her lap and a globe in one of her outstretched hands. In this example, the globe is missing. This figure shows the unique style of its creator, El Cachetón de Lares, (The Big-Cheeked Man from Lares), a name given to an anonymous santero by Teodoro Vidal, based on the large cheeks with which he endowed his carvings.
Description (Spanish)
La tradición en torno a la Virgen de Montserrate se originó en las montañas angulosas de Cataluña, en el noreste de España. Cuando en 1599, según se cuenta, se le apareció al granjero Gerardo González cerca de Hormigueros, en el suroeste de Puerto Rico, surgió un nuevo conjunto de tradiciones e imaginería exclusivo a la isla. Como tantas otras Madonas, la Virgen de Montserrate se representa sentada en un trono, con su hijo Jesús en el regazo y un globo en una de sus manos extendidas. En este ejemplo el globo está ausente. La figura exhibe un estilo único característico de su creador, El Cachetón de Lares, nombre que Teodoro Vidal le otorgó a un santero anónimo, basándose en las mejillas infladas con las que el artista dotaba a sus tallas.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
early 20th century
late 19th-early 20th century
maker
Cachetón de Lares
ID Number
1997.0097.0668
accession number
1997.0097
catalog number
1997.0097.0668

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