Bulto (Santa Barbara)

Art Historical Context

This 1939 watercolor, colored pencil, and graphite rendering by Eldora P. Lorenzini depicts a bulto of Santa Barbara, created as part of the Index of American Design. Measuring 55.7 by 37 cm, it documents an original folk sculpture standing 22 1/4 inches tall, capturing the object with the precision typical of this Depression-era WPA project that employed artists to visually archive American decorative arts and crafts. A bulto is a carved and painted wooden statue of a saint, a form of Hispanic folk art used in Catholic devotion, especially in the American Southwest. Santa Barbara, often shown with symbols of her martyrdom, represents a tradition of religious sculpture by santeros that blended European iconography with local materials and styles. Lorenzini’s mixed-media technique faithfully records colors, textures, and details, preserving the cultural heritage of these objects at a time when many were at risk of being lost. This work highlights both the artistic skill of folk traditions and the Index’s role in creating an enduring visual record of America’s diverse material culture for future generations.