#8 Title - "El Tiradito"

Artist - Penny Duncklee

Painting Dimensions - 8.75"(w) x 10.75"(h)

Framed Dimensions - 16"(w) x 18"(h)

Watercolor on Paper

Framed and Matted (See Framed View)

Price - $500

Excerpt from November 2002 Sunset Magazine Article

Downtown Tucson's El Tiradito shrine commemorates a sinner rather than petitioning a saint.  There are several versions of the story of El Tiradito which means "little outcast" or "little castaway."  The most common one takes place in the late 1800's when Juan Oliveros, a young shepherd, is said to have become infatuated with his mother-in-law.  Their adulterous love affair was discovered by the woman's husband.  Enraged, he murdered Oliveros.  The youth's dalliance in one of the seven deadly sins prevented his inclusion in the local cemetery.  Instead, he was buried where he was killed and the shrine was erected at that site.

The present adobe shrine, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, was built a few blocks from the original after it was abandoned to a street-widening project in the 1940's.  Over the years, the shrine has become a focal point for Tucson residents in times of need.  It is not unusual to find several people at the shrine, praying or lighting candles.