Limited Edition Offset Litho Prints
Edition of 375
8 in. x 10½ in.
The Orignal Rosa de Castilla is also for sale.
My friend Isabelle Medina Sandoval wrote a poem called "Rosa de Castilla" (The Rose of Castile). I was inspired, so I researched the origin of the Rosa de Castilla, by conducting interviews and research in books. Although many sources said the rose was white, red or pink, I discovered that it is a yellow flower brought by the Spanish colonists to New Mexico in the 16th and 17th centuries. It was brought by the Moors from Persia and was cultivated in the monastery gardens in the Iberian Peninsula. In Chimayo, New Mexico, a place where many of Isabelle's family live, I was shown this yellow rose in bloom and was told that the rootstock was brought by the first Spanish settlers of the area. I heard that the province of Castile was a stronghold for Jews before the Expulsion in 1492.
The border includes towers or "torres" to symbolize Castile and the medieval architecture there. Towers are used in many medieval Jewish illustrated manuscripts. The center of the painting is in New Mexico. A young woman is thinking about her ancestors from Spain and reflecting on the family secrets that keep the Jewish faith alive from generation to generation.
My friend Judy Frankel, internationally known singer of Sephardic Ladino songs, has put Isabel Sandoval's words to music and created an exquisite song entitled "Rosa de Castilla" from the poem.
-Diana Bryer
Rose of Castile (English)
In the big patio of my ranch
There are native roses of my grandfather
Gracious branch where are you going?
You can live here in peace.
Fresh like the morning dew,
The pretty flower opens from a branch
With the thoughts of my beloved Spain,
With the heart of my sentimental Spain.
Pretty like the afternoon sun,
Smells the suave fragrance of the rose,
the pretty rose of Castile is precious
Sweet perfumes of happy riches.
Strong like the moon of night
The white rose of the house grows
With roots of my forgotten land
Of life in enchanted Israel.
In the big patio of my ranch
There are native roses of my grandfather.
Gracious branch of the Sefarad,
You can live here in friendship.
Isabelle Medina Sandoval
© 8-18-97
Rosa de Castilla (Spanish)
En el patio grande de mi ranchito
Hay rosas nativas de mi abuelito
Rama graciosa adonde vas
Puedes vivir aqui en paz
Fresca como el rocio de la mananita
Abre la flor tan bonita de la ramacita
Con recuerdos de mi España querida
Con corazon de mi España sentida.
Linda como el sol de la tardecita
Huele la fragrancia suave de la rosita
Preciosa es la linda rosa de castilla
Perfume dulce de riquezas de alegria.
Fuerte como la luna de la nochecita
Crece la rosa blanca de la casita
De raices de tierra olvidada
De vida de Ysrael encanta.
En el patio grande de mi ranchito
Hay rosas nativas de mi abuelito
Rama graciosa de la Sefarad
Puedes vivir aqui en amistad.
Isabelle Medina Sandoval
© 8-18-97