The special character of the penitente brotherhood is demonstrated also in the last two bultos on the south morada altar. The prominent size and position of St. John of Nepomuk (Figure 54) on the altar indicate again the importance given by the penitentes to San Juan as a keeper of secrets. The other figure is the south morada's personification of death (Figure 55), la muerte, here even more gaunt than the image in the east morada. Probably made after 1900, this figure demonstrates the persistent artistic and religious heritage of Hispano culture.
Figure 54. Saint John of Nepomuk (San Juan Nepomuceno). Size: 90.2 centimeters high. Date: Early 20th century. Origin: New Mexico, unidentified santero. Location: South morada, left side of altar. Manufacture: Carved wood, gessoed and painted; dressed in black gown and cap; white cotton cassock; artificial flowers; horsehair wig.
Figure 55. Death (la muerte). Size: 111.8 centimeters high. Date: Fourth quarter of 19th century. Origin: New Mexico, unidentified santero. Location: South morada, left side of altar.
[53] Interviews with Abiquiú inhabitants: Delfino Garcia in summer 1963 and Agapita Lopez in fall 1966.
[54] Interviews with penitente members at Abiquiú, summers of 1965 and 1967.
[55] José Espinosa, Saints in the Valley (Albuquerque, 1960), p. 75.
[56] Domínguez, Missions, p. 50 (ftn. 5), defines varal and its customary use.
[57] Ibid., pp. 107, 131 (ftn. 4), 167.
[58] Ibid., pp. 121-123.