Cuzco School Early 20th Century Oil - Holy Child of Atocha II

Description

An elaborate 19th-century Cuzco School portrait of Santo Niño de Atocha (Holy Child of Atocha), depicted with a pilgrim's staff held in his right hand and a top hat adorned with feathers. The figure wears ornate robes with lace trim and floral embroidery, whilst holding a basket of red flowers in his left hand. The Santo Niño de Atocha is a beloved Hispanic Catholic image of the Christ Child, traditionally regarded as a protector of travellers, prisoners, and the sick. The painting is well presented in a dark wood frame with egg-and-dart moulding. Unsigned. On tin.

Condition

Signs of wear consistent with age. Light abrasions/paint loss to the perimeter of the composition. There is a small hole at the top of the tin substrate historically used for hanging. The moulded frame is in very good condition.

Size

31 x 26cm (12.2" x 10.2")
Framed Size: 37.5 x 32.5cm (14.8" x 12.8")

Collection Information

The Cuzco School of Art, or Escuela Cuzqueña, emerged in colonial Peru during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries as a distinctive artistic tradition blending European and Indigenous influences. Centred in the city of Cuzco, the former capital of the Inca Empire, the style was established by Spanish colonisers and Catholic missionaries, spreading European painting techniques to Indigenous and mestizo artists. While the art often depicted religious themes in line with Catholic teachings, it also featured local elements, such as native flora, fauna, and Andean symbolism. The style was not limited to Cuzco and spread to other locations in the Andes, as well as modern-day Ecuador and Bolivia. While European artists initially taught in Cuzco, most works were later created by anonymous Indigenous and mestizo artists who adapted the style to reflect their cultural identity.

See More Like This

For our full collection of these click here