Santos in Oaxaca's Ancient Churches
A study of santos in 16th-century and other churches in Oaxaca, Mexico.
Claire and Richard Stracke. Funded by a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation.
Santos in Oaxaca's Ancient ChurchesA study of santos in 16th-century and other churches in Oaxaca, Mexico.
Claire and Richard Stracke. Funded by a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation. |
San Pedro Mártir |
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St. Peter Martyr (Dominican holding book and martyr's triple palm; axe in head.)
Polychrome, glass eyes, 3' on solid wooden base atop a polychromed octagonal about 18''x 6". The polychrome is in excellent condition and the workmanship, though stylized, is of great delicacy. The face is long and rectangular. The effect, in spite of the bleeding head wound, is of restraint in the midst of great suffering. The major block of the statue, the white and gold robe, on being tapped, proved to be of a solid piece of wood. The black and gold mantle and cape are of stiffened cloth. Three different patterns of complicated arabesques decorate the robe, apron and mantle. The lining of the cape, where it is intended to be seen, is deco-rated in a bold black check with broad scratches of gold. The areas under and behind the arms are of cream color with slight scratches of gold. The right hand lacks the index finger and part of the pinky, and the right eye has slipped a little into the head cavity. The martyr's palm and book have been tied on, the first to the right hand and the second to the left. They are carved of wood and polychromed. Their workmanship would suggest that they are original to the statue, as is the axe. A long staff decorated in bold stripes of plastic holds a circle of woven straw decorated in yarn and has been tied to the hand that holds the palm. Location: On the altar along the north wall of the nave, just past the narthex. |