New Mexico State University’s Art Museum is embarking on a significant digitization project to make its vast collection of Mexican retablos accessible to the public and scholars alike. Courtney Uldrich, Collections Curator at the University Art Museum, expressed the need for this project, stating, “It has never been properly inventoried or integrated into our current collections database system with updated photographs."
Retablos and ex-votos, with roots in European and Mexican art from the 16th to 18th centuries, are religious images painted on tin plates and other materials. Uldrich is leading the effort to digitize and inventory the growing collection, acquired over the last 60 years, with over 200 new retablos added in 2022 alone. She highlighted the importance of digitization, saying, “Digitization offers people who may not be able to visit the museum the chance to access the retablos and navigate our platform."
The digitization project is not a one-person task. Olivia Juedeman, a graduate assistant, has been working alongside Uldrich to help intake new acquisitions, complete an inventory, and digitize the collection. Juedeman expressed her gratitude for the opportunity, stating, “I find myself completely drawn to the preservation of artworks and the inherent importance they carry for the community."
NMSU students in the Museum Conservation program have been actively involved in preserving and restoring pieces in the retablo collection. Yasmine Jahangiri, a senior double-majoring in museum conservation and theatre arts, has been working closely with Uldrich and Juedeman, contributing to the photographing, digitizing, and storing of the retablos.
Uldrich emphasized the educational aspect of the project, stating, “I’m able to train the next generation of museum professionals and I feel really lucky that I'm able to do that with Olivia and Yasmine." The collection is currently being updated and can be accessed online. For more information on the collection and upcoming events, visitors can visit the University Art Museum's website or contact them directly.
The digitization of NMSU’s retablo collection will undoubtedly provide a valuable resource for scholars and art enthusiasts worldwide, offering a glimpse into the rich cultural and religious heritage embodied in these unique artworks.
