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An early 20th century Cuzco School portrait depicting the Virgin Mary with the Christ Child, likely the Virgen de la Candelaria (Our Lady of Candlemas). Christ carries an orb surmounted by a cross, symbolising sovereignty over the world. The Virgin Mary is dressed in a flat, bell-shaped mantle with lavish gold brocade (brocateado) and lace collar and cuff details. Crowns adorn both figures, emphasising their regal, heavenly status. The painting is beautifully presented in a dark wood frame with egg-and-dart moulding. Unsigned. On canvas laid to board.
Condition
Signs of wear consistent with age. Light soiling and abrasions to the perimeter of the canvas. Inspection under UV light reveals minor areas of overpainting. The moulded frame is in very good condition.
Size
38.5 x 30cm (15.2" x 11.8")Framed Size: 44.5 x 36.5cm (17.5" x 14.4")
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.
