20 October 2012

Religious art in Peru

I have been lucky to visit a number of magnificent museums and churches in Europe, particularly in Spain and Italy. I have therefore been struck by the difference and the syncretism between Hispanic and Peruvian art as the conquistadors started evangelising Peru (which came to be known, among others, as the Cusco School):

Descriptive illustration of a group of bishops, cardinals and popes burning in hell as a sign of the impartiality of divine judgement

Spanish priest "saving" the Indian

Jesus's blood vividly becoming wine

A rquebusier and sword angels depicted as Spanish aristocrats

The trinity actually represented as three similar faces

Another depiction of the trinity

Relief painting

Relief painting

Crucifix built on the frame and separating two sides of a painting and Jesus washing the feet of a disciple and the last supper

Native flora and fauna as backdrop

Soldier woman in an altar piece niche

Religious painting in Peru