Miners could afford to own one of these. They were little; they were made by village painters, and their frames are simple. Many were painted by someone who was obviously self-taught.

Typically, outside of churches there would be people selling religious souvenirs. There would be someone selling little prints of an image that might be in the church. They were treasured, worn by soldiers into battle, and became personal badges of affiliation.

Part of the church's opposition might have been its pagan connotations. All along, the church has been uncomfortable with what I would call folk religion. But they could do little to stop it.

We can't just concentrate on one village.

Aren't you [Tahiti Lagoons] one of the seven wonders of the Paradise of painters?

I am asking miners and management at every mine operation to do the right thing: Take one hour out for safety's sake. This Monday, we urge that extra time be taken, at the beginning of each shift and before the start of any mining activity, to go over the hazards involved with mining and the vital safeguards that need to be taken.