Lot 263: EUGENE THURSTON (1896-1993)

EUGENE THURSTON (1896-1993)
Untitled, 1984
Oil on canvasboard
8in. x 10in.
Signed lower right

This view of Mount Cristo Rey can be seen from El Paso. Just outside El Paso, Texas, across the Rio Grande into New Mexico, is one of the few monumental Christ figures in the United States. It was carved from Austin, Texas, limestone by the Catalonian sculptor Urbici Solar from 1938 to 1940. The statue is 33.5 feet tall on a nine foot base. Although geographically the mountain is in New Mexico, the base also lies in Texas and Old Mexico.

From the top of Mount Cristo Rey, the Christ opens his arms in benediction over two friendly nations. He looks upon a vista of fertile irrigated fields, unsterile rocky mounts, and on the busy cities of Juarez and El Paso, together rather than divided by the Rio Grande River.

Today, pilgrims come from far distances to pray at the feet of the heroic figure of Christ which stands at the highest point of the mountain, 4,576 feet above sea level, and 1,000 feet above the surrounding valleys and deserts. Pilgrims climb the mountain singing hymns and reciting the rosary. Fourteen small crosses or stations along the trail represent the way to the cross.

Provenance:
Acquired by descent from the artist by the present owner

Excellent condition. New frame in excellent condition.