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 Juan Bautista |
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St. John the Baptist (Red one-piece garment hanging off the shoulder, floor-length cross in right hand, curly hair).
Wood, gesso, paint; polyester garment. The figure has a powerful, muscular body with realistically detailed neck and shoulders. The legs are well muscled and sturdy, the hands large. The right hand has a broken pinkie, and the wood and gesso can be seen at the break. There is no lamb, but the left arm is crooked as if to hold one. The hair is unusual. It is cropped close to frame the face in front, but hangs below the shoulders at the back. The carved black curls are tight and narrow. It falls in long, flat waves over the shoulders and down over the left collarbone. Probably often rubbed by petitioners, the left knee is shiny and has healthy pink flesh tone, in contrast to the darker tones of the leg. Location: Extreme left of the altar in the first bay in the north wall of the nave. |