Luis Tapia (b. 1950)

Mary's Heart, 2006, composed of wood, gesso, pigments.

Very good condition.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

For a discussion of the contemporary New Mexican santero tradition and related example's of the artist's work see Kalb, 1994, p. 28: "Many Hispano craftspeople, including...Luis Tapia...have incorporated the revivalism and the aesthetic preferences of the early anglo artists and patrons into their work. They have sucessfully negotiated the economic and wordly forces of the revivalists and created their own expressions. Access to such empowerment is based on class and, to some extent, on gender. Most contemporary santeros are men, urban and well educated."