San Isidro, Labrador

San Isidro or Saint Isidore is venerated as the patron saint of all farmers. Born in Madrid around the year 1070, Isidro was a pious farmer and attended Mass every day before tending to his work in the fields. His tardiness caused his fellow laborers to complain to his land holding master, Juan Vargas, who upon investigating, found angels toiling in the field for him. Many miracles were attributed to him-including bringing his employer's daughter back from the grave.
Iconic depictions of the saintly farmer portray Isidor as larger than life, emphasizing his strength, but always with the countenance of a devout and kind soul. In this Andean rendering, the saint holds a staff in his hand and pictured around him are accounts of some of the many miracles he performed: in the background two angels attend to the oxen which till the land with the efficiency of three men; in the upper left register, fresh water bursts from the dry rock in order to quench his master's thirst; pictured in the lower right is the horse that the saint purportedly brought back to life and kneeling beside the horse as witness to these divine miracles, is his master, Juan Vargas. Although primarily a portrait, the composition incorporates a landscape replete with verdant bushes and trees as typical in Andean painting.