Teodoro Vidal Collection of Puerto Rican History - Introduction
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.
"Teodoro Vidal Collection of Puerto Rican History - Introduction" showing 81 items.
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San Antonio de Padua
- Description
- St. Anthony of Padua is one of the most venerated saints in Puerto Rico. According to Catholic tradition, he was miraculously visited by the Infant Jesus, and is commonly referred to as the "finder of lost articles." This figure is an early example of a santo from the 18th century.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 18th century
- depicted
- Saint Anthony of Padua
- ID Number
- 1997.0097.0635
- accession number
- 1997.0097
- catalog number
- 1997.0097.0635
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Virgen de Monserrate
- Description
- In Puerto Rican religious tradition, the Virgin of Monserrat made a miraculous appearance in 1599, near the town of Hormigueros. Depicted in a broad range of skin tones, at times in contrast with her son Jesus Christ (missing from her lap in this example), she is one of the most frequently carved santos in Puerto Rico. Represented behind her are the jagged mountains of Catalonia, Spain, the place where the veneration of this particular Madonna originated. This figure, by a member of the Espada group of artisans, dates from the 19th century.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 19th century
- maker
- Espada Group
- ID Number
- 1997.0097.0648
- accession number
- 1997.0097
- catalog number
- 1997.0097.0648
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Santiago Matamoros
- Description
- This wooden santo represents Santiago Matamoros, or St. James the Moor Slayer. It was made by the Ramos family from the town of Aguada. Santiago Matamoros is the patron saint of Spain and provided spiritual inspiration for the Christian re-conquest of Iberia and the subsequent expulsion of Jews and Muslims. The legacy of this conflict between Christians and Muslims in Spain was transplanted to the Americas.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1850-1904
- maker
- Ramos, Pepe
- Ramos, Justina
- Ramos, Jose
- Ramos, Justina Torres de
- ID Number
- 1997.0097.0650
- accession number
- 1997.0097
- catalog number
- 1997.0097.0650
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Virgen de Monserrate
- 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.
- 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
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
San Sebastián
- Description
- Saint Sebastian was an early Christian martyr who, according to legend, was tied to a tree, shot with arrows, and left for dead. He not only recovered, but returned to preaching Christianity. For this, the Roman emperor Diocletian ordered him beaten to death. He is almost always represented tied to a post and shot with arrows, thus making him instantly recognizable.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- late 19th-early 20th century
- ID Number
- 1997.0097.0696
- accession number
- 1997.0097
- catalog number
- 1997.0097.0696
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Virgen de Monserrate
- Description
- Based on lore and church documents, this figure illustrates the Miracle of Hormigueros. In 1599, Our Lady of Montserrat appeared to Gerardo González, a farmer near Hormigueros in southwestern Puerto Rico. Attacked by a bull, González invoked the name of the Virgin. Immediately, the beast fell, its legs broken and its forehead touching the ground as if in prayer. In gratitude, González built and dedicated a church to Our Lady of Montserrat. This figure dates from the beginning of the 19th century.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- late 18th or early 19th century
- ID Number
- 1997.0097.0721
- accession number
- 1997.0097
- catalog number
- 1997.0097.0721
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
The Three Maries
- Description
- Las Tres Marías, the Three Maries, are the Virgin Mary, Mary Magdalene, and Mary of Cleofas. They are often depicted at the crucifixion of Jesus Christ or at his tomb. But, a popular Puerto Rican story relates that the Three Kings were suitors of the Three Marys, whom they accompanied to local festivities. This radical departure from scripture is an example of the distinctive religious traditions developed over the centuries by rural Puerto Ricans.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 19th-20th century
- maker
- Garcia, Ramon
- ID Number
- 1997.0097.0731
- accession number
- 1997.0097
- catalog number
- 1997.0097.0731
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
San José
- Description
- This figure of St. Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus Christ and husband of Mary, dates from the 19th century and was made by a member or associate of the Espada family in the town of San Germán.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 19th century
- maker
- Espada Group
- ID Number
- 1997.0097.0741
- accession number
- 1997.0097
- catalog number
- 1997.0097.0741
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
San Rafael Arcángel
- Description
- Rafael is one of several archangels (high-ranking angels) who exist in the Christian, Jewish, and Muslim traditions. The story of Rafael is found in the Book of Tobit, found in the Bibles of Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Christians. Devotees of St. Raphael the Archangel consider him the traveler's guide, guardian of youth, and the archangel charged with healing humankind and the Earth. This santo was made early in the 20th century by Juan Cartagena in the town of Orocovis.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1891-1956-11-04
- depicted
- Saint Raphael
- maker
- Cartagena Martinez, Juan
- ID Number
- 1997.0097.0746
- accession number
- 1997.0097
- catalog number
- 1997.0097.0746
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
San Rafael Arcángel
- Description
- This santo represents St. Raphael the Archangel, the traveler's guide, guardian of youth, and the archangel charged with healing humankind and the Earth. Rafael is one of several archangels (high-ranking angels) who exist in the Christian, Jewish, and Muslim traditions. The story of Rafael is found in the Book of Tobit, in the Bibles of Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Christians.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- late 19th-early 20th century
- depicted
- Saint Raphael
- ID Number
- 1997.0097.0775
- accession number
- 1997.0097
- catalog number
- 1997.0097.0775
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center