Word
santo
Phoneticssan·to
/ˈsæntoʊ/
Definition
n. a statue of a saint or angel, often carved from wood, found in Spanish and Latin American religious art.
n. a carved religious icon or statue, typically of a saint, prevalent in the folk and liturgical art of Spain and former Spanish territories.
Examples
“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.”
Examples
simple
“The artist carved a beautiful santo from cedar wood.”
contextual
“Collectors often travel to remote villages to find authentic santo figures created by local craftsmen for parish churches.”
complex
“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.
Teaching tip
This term is specific to Hispanic art history; for general religious figures, students should use 'saint' or 'statue'.