TAOS, NEW MEXICO.- The Harwood Museum of Art presents a lecture this Thursday, October 26th at 7pm with Robin Farwell Gavin, Chief Curator of the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art. This lecture will focus on the museum's current exhibition “Retablo: Behind The Altar: A Collection of Paul LeBaron Thiebaud” featuring over one hundred 19th century religious images from Mexico . This lecture is free to Harwood Museum Alliance Members, UNM students & staff, or $7.

“Retablo: Behind The Altar” features highlights from the collection of Paul LeBaron Thiebaud. Thiebaud began acquiring these unique artifacts when he was 19 years old. He writes: “I’ve collected these pieces based purely on my belief of their aesthetic merits . . . Their religious prowess, although unmistakable, is notable for its conviction not its dependence. . . They are at once reverent and personal, painterly and sculptural, simple and powerful.”

Robin Farwell Gavin’s Lecture will trace the history of Mexican religious art from its European roots and Indigenous Indian influences to the creation of a vital artistic industry in the 19th century.

The Harwood's xhibition “Retablo; Behind the Altar” is on view through December 30th. For more information on this exhibition of Robin Farwell Gavin’s October 26th lecture please call 758-9826 x 105 or visit www.harwoodmuseum.org.