santo
n. countable C2 Proficiency US //ˈsæntoʊ// san·to
n. a painting or statue of a holy person, usually made in a traditional style from Latin America or the Philippines.
n. a religious icon or representation of a saint, typically carved from wood or painted on a panel. Common in the folk art traditions of former Spanish colonies.
The artist carved a beautiful santo from cedar wood.
Collectors often travel to remote villages to find authentic santo figures created by local craftsmen for parish churches.
The museum's collection features several 18th-century santos, showcasing the unique blend of European Catholic iconography and indigenous artistic techniques prevalent in the region at that time.
Usage
Often used in the context of art history or religious studies; the plural can be 'santos' or 'santo'.