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. |
Santa Magdalena Jaltepec |
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The authorities asked that we not take photos or notes during our visit to this church, and the following comments are drawn simply from memory. All four of the santos on the main retablo (two on the left, arranged vertically, and two on the right, also arranged vertically) wear flowing, delicately done polychrome garments with a fine "windblown" look. The faces are well executed, but there is a heavy amount of dust on all four. We identified only one of them, St. Michael. Behind the retablo is a curtain. According to the sacristan and the little we could glimpse, there are behind the curtain several old polychrome statues. Another santo that we did not inspect was in a glass case in the second bay of the south wall of the nave.
Virgin and Child Wood, gesso, paint; glass eyes, wig; fabric garments; 4½'. Location: 1st chapel in the north wall of nave. San Sebastian Tree. Wood, gesso, paint. The surface has the look of modern commercial "flat" paints. Location: Left front area of table in 2nd chapel in the north wall of nave. San Isidro Labrador Flat-top hat. Wood, gesso, paint; fabric garments; 4½'. The face looks old. Location: Glass case, center rear area of table in 2nd chapel in the north wall of nave. Palm Sunday Christ Location: 2nd chapel in the north wall of nave. Christ Wood, gesso, paint; glass eyes, wig; 5'. Location: In front of a coffin, the east of 2nd chapel in the the north wall of the nave. Christ Royal robe. Painted eyes; 4'. The figure is bald. Location: Glass case to the right of the Christ described above. El Señor de la Misericordia Small crucifix. Wood, gesso, paint; wig (?); 1½'. The skin is very finely done. Location: The northeast corner of the nave. La Santa Magdalena Polychrome; 4'. Location: Front left area of apse. Santo. Polychrome. Under 3'. La Santa Magdalena So identified by the caretaker Wig; fabric garments; 4½'. The hair is dark in color. El Señor de la Misericordia Location: Behind the Dios de la Muerte in the chapel off the the east end of the south wall of nave. Christ Standing. Wood, gesso, paint; glass eyes, wig; fabric garments; 4½'. It seems old. Location: chapel off the the east end of the south wall of nave. Trinity Seated type Polychrome (?); 3½' from top to toe. Old, dusty, and worn looking, but it seems to be polychrome. Both the Son and the Holy Spirit are missing. Location: Left rear area of table in 2nd chapel in the north wall of nave. San Miguel Cutaway tunic. Polychrome. Under 3'. Flowing, delicately done polychrome garments with a fine "windblown" look. The face is well executed, but there is a heavy amount of dust. Location: Upper right section of the retablo of the main altar. El Señor de la Misericordia Crucifix Closed eyes, wig; 6½'. Flanking the Misericordia are Mary and Magdalena, described below. The figure has an old-looking high sheen. There is not much blood, just enough to remind the viewer of the story, at the five wounds and the scuffed knees. There is little or no blood flowing from the crown of thorns. Location: Before retablo of main altar. La Madre de los Dolores Identified as La Santa Maria by the caretaker Wig; fabric garments; 5'. The lips are slightly parted. The hair is almost blond, causing us to wonder if this might in fact be the Magdalena while the other is the Maria. La Santa Magdalena Polychrome; glass eyes, lashes, wig; parted lips; 3½'. The polychrome is unusually beautiful. The cape seems to have been made from stiffened cloth, with many fanciful folds. The robe is also exuberant in execution but seems to have been repainted, because the patterns of the gold are the width of a painter's brush and the gold looks thick in places. The statue is of approximately the same size as those in the retablo, and it is possible that it may have been at the retablo's center, which is now obscured by the hanging which serves as a backdrop for the crucifixion scene. El Dios de la Muerte Christ in coffin Wood, gesso, paint; glass eyes, wig; lips parted; Life size. There is a heavy layer of dust on the face. The statue seems quite old. Two other santos are in this same chapel. Location: Chapel off the east end of the south wall of nave. Virgin with Heart Wood, gesso, paint; glass eyes, lashes, wig; fabric garments; 4½'. Hands down, palms out, with flaming heart. No halo. Location: Glass case in 1st bay in the south wall of nave. Next church |