Santos

The Millicent Rogers Museum in Taos, New Mexico, is home to one of the preeminent public collections of northern New Mexico santos in the world. These devotional artworks—retablos (painted panels) and bultos (carved wooden figures)—embody centuries of faith, artistry, and cultural tradition in the region. Created by generations of santeros (saint-makers), the santos reflect the deep spiritual life of New Mexico’s Hispanic communities and their enduring connection to the land, materials, and stories that define the Southwest.

Within the museum’s renowned Hispanic arts collection, the santos serve as both sacred and artistic expressions of local identity. Visitors encounter works ranging from 18th-century colonial pieces to vibrant contemporary creations, each revealing the evolution of style, technique, and devotion. Through these objects, the blending of Spanish, Indigenous, and regional influences comes to life—showing how belief and creativity intertwined to produce a distinct form of New Mexican art.

A visit to the santos galleries offers more than an appreciation of craftsmanship—it is an encounter with living tradition. The Millicent Rogers Museum preserves, interprets, and celebrates these powerful symbols of faith and culture, inviting visitors to experience the spiritual heart of northern New Mexico through the hands and vision of its artists.