Nuestra Señora del Carmen

Nicolas Otero’s beautiful retablo in carved wood with natural pigments, “Nuestra Señora del Carmen,” presents the Virgin Mary in her role as patroness of the Carmelite Order.

In keeping with historical depictions, she cradles the Christ Child in one arm and holds a devotional scapular in her opposite hand—an offering to the lost souls suffering beneath her, symbolizing a path to salvation.

Classic New Mexican design elements, like the stylized “scallop” crown gracing the retablo’s top, root this vibrant artwork in Otero’s rich cultural heritage, making it a striking homage to both tradition and spiritual devotion.