Bessie Smith Moulton

next back to artist info back to artists home

Saint Maximon
While traveling in Guatemala I was introduced to the worship of a local saint who is said to be a blend of ancient Mayan gods, a fierce conquistador of Guatemala and the biblical Judas. A custom-made wooden box (8.25"x6.5"x2") on one side houses a black, leather-bound book with a red foil, die-stamped title. The book contains iconographic representations of the dark saint of Guatemala, including photographs of his place of worship and translations of Spanish orations. The images and text illustrate the power of "St. Simon" and the reverence of his devotees.
On the facing side of the box is a copy of an authentic votive, generally made by a curandero (medicine man) from talismanic materials readily available to the local worshipers. The votive is covered with a piece of hand-blown glass framed in lead. When the book is removed, it reveals an oration, which guides one through the use of the box as an altar.