San Ysidro Labrador de Madrid, the patron saint
of Madrid, stands stoutly in the foreground of
the painting. Such strong presence and the large
size of the figure separate the saint from other
elements of the painting, attributing a grand
status and power to the saint. Holding a club,
Saint Ysidro performs miracle by making water to
emerge from the soil by striking the ground.
The background population reflects the mixed
culture consisting of Spaniards and Indians of
Andes. The peasants are working with animals
such as cows, and drinking the vital water. Saint
Ysidro was particularly popular in rural South
America because he was a peasant himself prior
to becoming a saint. By portraying both the
Spanish saint and the indigenous people, the
painting attempts to signify myths of both
cultures--the myth about the Spanish saint and
indigenous myths about god. In portraying the
mixture of cultures, this work of art reveals the
significance of agricultural prosperity, perhaps
the common wish in all people around the world.
The two cultures may hold different belief
systems but the importance of vitality and well
being of people are well signified by the magical
emergence of water.
- (D.503)
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