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. |
El Señor de la Muerte |
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Recumbent Christ in coffin, under pink coverlet.
Wood, gesso, paint; glass eyes, wig, eyelashes; 60". All but the face is covered with a pink fringed coverlet. The whites of the eyes present a strong contrast to the dark skin and the heavily shadowed lids. The hair extends past the knees in long ropes of curls. There is a purple fabric headband at the blood-streaked brow. A painted green crown of thorns in the basketweave pattern lies at the breast. The knees are raised, perhaps suggesting that the figure is used in Holy Week as the crucified Christ. In this regard it may also be significant that the arms are held rigidly at the sides, as if they were hinged and could be extended. Location: On an altar midway along the second wall of the north part of the nave. |