Art enlivens chapel

During the renovation last autumn, then-pastor Rev. Joseph Manerowski approached Mr. Burt to paint the two works.

"I incorporated my own style with these particular retablos," Mr. Burt said. "When I was planning the paintings, I decided to use colors from the stained glass window in the chapel. I wanted the retablos to highlight the colors that were already there." Those pastels included yellow, several pinks and light green.

Jesus at center

Both pictures are painted on pieces of wood, with Jesus in the middle and side hinges, or doors, where the saints flank Christ. When the sides are closed, the pieces resemble a church.

Retablo

"When I painted Jesus as the Good Shepherd, I had to put certain items in the painting, like sheep grazing at His feet, mountains in the background and a halo behind His head," he said.

Additionally, with Jesus the Good Samaritan, Mr. Burt had to paint the saints in a certain way, one holding a book for example, and with a certain color and style to the saint's robes.

"It's the way retablo is painted, and that does not change," he noted.

Style start

Often painted by itinerant, untrained artists, the pieces of art became popular with the general public. Often, the pieces were sold to private individuals; but because the subject matter was usually of a spiritual nature, many pieces were donated to churches.

Retablo was often sold door-to-door during major holidays because the art inspired prayers.

(For further information on Bruce Burt's paintings, call 607-746-2384.)

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