sophiebass-scrapbook:
looking at mexican retablos and ex votos for my big scary dissertation, which i think i am doing on fertility and death.
“An illustration of the Catholic belief that Camille guides and protects at the final hour. Titled at bottom San Camilo de Lelis Patron de los Agonizontes, or “San Camilo of Lelis patron of people in final agony”, depicts a fascinating cast of Hieronymous Bosch like characters who represent spiritual hazards of death. San Camilo and his acolytes guard the dying soul against final temptations of a host of satanical troublemakers. A devil in the window says, “I can’t” (meaning he can’t get to the dying man to detour him to hell). The demon floating above the enthroned Virgin Mary threatens, “your children”. The Virgin invites, ven a mi gloria, “come to my glory”. Notice the dying man’s little white soul flying up to the Virgin’s open arms….. The devil beneath the bed says, vuelvale intentar ”try again”. On the left are the seven demons of the deadly sins…”
