Archives Center, National Museum of American History

Division of Community Life Dissertation Series: Lange, Yvonne: "Santos: The Household Wooden Saints of Puerto

Summary

Collection ID:
NMAH.AC.0197
Creators:
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Community Life
Lange, Yvonne, 1918-2003 (Director Emerita, Museum of International Folk Art)
Dates:
1975
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
0.66 Cubic feet
2 boxes, 4 volumes
Repository:

Scope and Contents note

Scope and Contents note
One copy in four volumes (872 pp.) of the typescript of Lange's dissertation "Santos: The Household Wooden Saints of Puerto Rico (1975)" by Yvonne Lange. The dissertation, written for the Ph.D. in Folklore and Folklife at the University of Pennsylvania, attempts to analyse the phenomenon of the "santos" by describing its major features and to explain its existence through the historical, socio-economic, and religious factors that influenced it. This work is illustrated with photographic prints, most of which were taken by the author, mounted on text pages. Some of the santos described and illustrated are from Smithsonian collections, including the Teodoro Vidal Collection.

Biographical/Historical note

Biographical/Historical note
"Santos" is a term used in Latin America to describe the locally made wooden sculptured representations of the Roman Catholic celestial hierarchy. In the nineteenth century this form of folk art developed in the central highlands of Puerto Rico. These cheerful images were deeply revered by the peasant farmers as the embodiment of an invisible and powerful presence which brought sympathetic feeling and fellowship to the community.

Administration

Author
NMAH Staff
Immediate Source of Acquisiton
Yvonne Lange,Museum of International Folk Art, Museum of New Mexico, gift,2/21/86
Custodial History
Collection transferred to the Archives Center from the Division of Community Life (now Division of Cultural and Community Life), 3/24/86.
Processing Information
Collection processed by, NMAH Staff, undated

Using the Collection

Preferred Citation
Division of Community Life Dissertation Series: Lange, Yvonne, Santos: The Household Wooden Saints of Puerto Rico (1975), AC NMAH
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Religion -- Puerto Rico Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Puerto Rico Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Idols and images Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Folk art Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Dissertations Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Christian saints Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Art -- Collecting and Collectors -- Puerto Rico Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Religious objects -- Puerto Rico Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Santos (Art) Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Vidal, Teodoro Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

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