23rd Annual Student Research Conference
The Mexican Baroque: The Survival of Indigenous Artistic Traditions
Cecilia M. Muruato
Dr. Julia DeLancey, Dr. Sara Orel, and Dr. Joaquin Maldonado-Class, Faculty Mentors
Spain's key objective in colonizing the Americas was establishing political, social, and religious control over the territories. Due to the Catholic church's prominent role in the reinforcement of Spanish imperial dominance, Christian art and architecture in Latin America followed the European model. Interestingly, colonial religious structures in Latin America present a Baroque style that is markedly different from that of Spain. In Mexico, indigenous potters employed by the Spanish incorporated their colorful glazes and traditional decorative forms into the imported Spanish majolica, creating a ceramic style called Talavera Poblana. The beauty of these tiles was so valued that Talavera Poblana was used as façade decoration for several prominent churches, the most exemplary being the Church of San Francisco in Acatepec. By analyzing this church's hybrid stylistic influences, this paper will argue that the indigenous people managed to maintain their artistic customs despite the domination of the Church and Spanish power.
Keywords: Baroque, Latin America, Colonial, Mexico, San Francisco de Acatepec, Talavera Poblana, Art
Topic(s):Art History
Art
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 21-1
Location: VH 1324
Time: 9:30