Study Notes for ART 207 - Colonial Latin-American I
ART 207 - SGII - COLONIAL LATIN-AMERICAN I
I. Definitions of Key Terms
Atrium: The central open area of a Roman house or early Christian church, often surrounded by a colonnade.
Atrial Cross: A cross that typically has a structure resembling an atrium, often found in colonial church architecture.
Baroque: An art style characterized by grandeur, drama, and movement, prominent from the 17th to 18th centuries, especially in Latin America.
Biambo: A type of artistic work or decorative style; specific context needed for precise definition.
Bishop Juan de Zumárraga: First bishop of Mexico, significant figure in the Spanish colonial church.
Castas: The hierarchical social classifications of mixed-race individuals in colonial Spanish America, essential in understanding the social structure.
Castile: A historic kingdom in Spain crucial for the colonization efforts in the Americas.
Cloister: A covered walk in a religious institution, often reflecting a sacred center or a microcosm of spiritual life.
Codex: A manuscript book, either handwritten or painted, important for documenting indigenous history and culture.
Counter-Reformation: A movement in the Catholic Church response to the Protestant Reformation aiming to reform the Church.
Creole or Criollo: A person of European descent born in the Americas, often played a significant role in colonial societies.
Cuauhtémoc: The last Aztec emperor, significant historical figure in the resistance against Spanish colonization.
El encuentro: The encounter between European and indigenous cultures.
Encomiendas: A system of forced labor established by Spanish officials, where colonists were granted a specified number of indigenous people for labor in exchange for protection and Christian education.
Enlightenment: A philosophical movement advocating for reason, science, and knowledge over tradition, influential in shaping modern thought.
Español: Referring to the Spanish language or culture.
Estofado: A decorative technique where paint is applied over gold leaf then incised to reveal the gold underneath.
Facade: The front face of a building, crucial in architectural design.
Hernán Cortés: Conquistador known for leading the expedition that caused the fall of the Aztec Empire.
Hidalgo (Miguel): A leader in the Mexican War of Independence, known for his pivotal role in the fight against Spanish rule.
Juan Diego: An indigenous Mexican who is known for the apparition of the Virgin of Guadalupe.
La Malinche (Malintzin): A Nahua woman who served as an interpreter for Cortés during the Spanish conquest.
Manila Galleon: Ships that operated between the Philippines and Mexico, pivotal for trade during colonial times.
Mannerism: An artistic style that emerged after the Renaissance characterized by exaggerated proportions and complex compositions.
Mestizaje: The cultural and ethnic mixing of indigenous and European peoples.
Mita: A labor system in colonial Peru that forced indigenous peoples into work, especially in mines.
Moctezuma: The ninth emperor of the Aztec Empire, crucial to the understanding of pre-Hispanic Mexico.
Mudéjar: An architectural style that reflects Islamic influence on Spanish architecture.
Nahua: A group of indigenous peoples in Mexico historically tied to the Aztec Empire; they speak the Nahuatl language.
Nahuatl: The language spoken by the Nahua people, still in usage today.
Plateresque: An architectural style characterized by elaborate and decorative details reminiscent of silverwork.
Poblano: A term referring to people from Puebla, a region in Mexico known for its history and culinary contributions.
Posar Chapel: A small chapel typically found in church courtyards, significant in architectural design in colonial Mexico.
Renaissance: An era marked by a renewed interest in classical culture, influencing arts, architecture, and philosophy in Europe.
Retablo: A large altarpiece or devotional structure, often elaborate in decoration.
Tenochtitlán: The capital city of the Aztec Empire, now Mexico City.
Tlaxcala: An area and a group of indigenous people known for their resistance against the Aztecs and alliance with the Spaniards.
Tepeyac: The location of the Virgin of Guadalupe's apparition to Juan Diego.
Tequitqui: A term describing the fusion of indigenous and European artistic styles in colonial arts.
Torna-atrás: Context needed for a precise definition; may indicate a concept related to colonial events or cultural exchanges.
Tonantzin: An indigenous mother goddess, later associated with the Virgin of Guadalupe.
Veracruz: A major port city in Mexico, historically significant during the colonial period.
Viceregal: Pertaining to the office or influence of a viceroy, the representative of the Spanish crown in colonial territories.
Viceroys: The officials who governed viceroyalties on behalf of the Spanish crown.
Zócalo: A public square commonly found in Mexican towns, central to social and civic life.
II. Questions and Discussion Topics
Roles of Indigenous Styles and Techniques in Colonial Art: Indigenous techniques and styles significantly influenced the artistic output in colonial Mexico. Artists amalgamated traditional methods with European styles, creating unique artworks that reflect the hybrid culture.
Casta Painting in Mexico: Casta paintings served as a visual classification system reflecting the ethnic and racial hierarchy of colonial society. They often depicted inter-racial families to illustrate the social structure.
Attributes of Colonial Art: Features include the integration of indigenous and European styles, religious themes, elaborate ornamentation, and the use of local materials.
Trends and Phases of Colonial Art Evolution: Identify key moments such as the initial blending of styles, the influence of Baroque aesthetics, and the eventual emergence of unique regional styles.
Styles of Art and Architecture in Colonial Period: Varied from Plateresque to Baroque, reflecting both European influence and indigenous adaptations in the colonies.
Importance of Lady of Guadalupe: She is a pivotal figure symbolizing Mexican identity and faith, acknowledged in both Mexican and Mexican-American cultural contexts.
Five Colonial Artists: Include notable figures such as Miguel Cabrera, Juan Correa, and others who played crucial roles in the artistic landscape of colonial Latin America.
III. Identification of Images
Identify images posted in Canvas (Open Exam 2 Folder) to connect visual arts with their definitions and contexts.
Objectives for Study
Identify Formal and Iconographic Characteristics: Learn how to recognize and analyze the style, symbolism, and meanings embedded in Colonial Art.
Understand Diversity: Acknowledge the cultural diversity reflected in the art forms of the Colonial period.
Discuss Social and Political Significance: Analyze how political events influenced artistic production during the colonial period.
Describe Influences on Colonial Art Creation: Learn about the various sources that contributed to the development of colonial artworks.
Arts of the Spanish Americas, 1550–1850
Divergence from North American Colonies: The arts in Spanish Americas integrated strong ties to Roman Catholicism, unlike the more iconoclastic arts in Protestant-led North America.
Patronage of the Church: The influence of the church extended to the patronage of artworks, leading to how they were produced and the themes depicted.
Indigenous Influence: Indigenous craftsmen left important marks on the artworks produced during the colonial period, contributing to the unique artistic heritage of Latin America.
Socio-economic Elements: Many artisans lived under harsh conditions, while others thrived under colonial economic structures, resulting in a broad, diverse art scene.
Arts of the Mission Schools in Mexico
Franciscan Influence: The arrival of Franciscans in 1519 led to the establishment of schools that influenced indigenous artistic practices towards Christian themes.
Feather Mosaic: A notable form of indigenous art, utilizing brilliantly colored feathers to create intricate mosaics, reflecting both indigenous heritage and European influence.
The Portuguese in Africa, 1415–1600
Trade and Exploration: The Portuguese quest for trade routes encouraged exploration and facilitated the slave trade, which drastically impacted both African and American societies.
Cultural Interactions: The Portuguese engaged with advanced African societies, leading to a complex exchange of culture and ideas during their explorations.
Encomienda System
Overview: A system introduced to regulate Native American labor, wherein Spanish colonizers were granted rights to indigenous populations, ostensibly to protect and convert them.
Implementation: In practice, distinctions between encomienda and slavery were often minimal, as native populations faced harsh labor conditions under harsh control.
Cloister Concept
Cloisters as Sacred Centers: Cloisters served as religious retreats for prayer and meditation, mirroring pre-Hispanic spiritual centers in their structure.
Botanical and Zoological Gardens in Sacred Contexts
Symbolism: Gardens represented both terrestrial and celestial paradise, showcasing intense spiritual connections between the natural world and religious aspirations.
Open Chapel
Functions and Designs: Open chapels were designed to serve large crowds, integrating indigenous worship styles with missionary efforts to ease cultural transitions.
Mudejar Style
Inspiration and Execution: Mudejar architecture reflects Moorish influences and became a hallmark of colonial design in New Spain, merging Islamic and Christian elements.
Casta Painting
Cultural Reflection: Casta paintings became a form of ethnographic illustration, reflecting the complex social hierarchy based on race and class within colonial society.
Renaissance and Mannerism Contexts
Cultural Transitions: The Renaissance paved the way for the Mannerist style in artistic expressions, characterized by emotional, exaggerated forms divergent from realistic portrayals.
Attributes of Mannerism:
Less realistic and more expressive.
Use of vibrant, often contrasting colors.
Ambiguity or tension is emphasized.
Distorted proportions are common in figures.
Influence from art rather than nature prevalent in works produced.
Prominent Figures in Colonial Art
Bernardino de Sahagun: His chronicle represents an important historical intersection of indigenous and Spanish accounts of life in New Spain.
Miguel Cabrera: Known for his diverse works, including portraits and devotional art, reflecting the hybrid identity and cultural exchanges in colonial Mexico.
Juan Correa: Significant Afro-Mexican artist, known for dynamic compositions and inclusion of diverse representations in his works.
Religious Orders and Their Impact
Augustinians and Dominicans: These orders played vital roles in the evangelization and education of indigenous populations, significantly impacting cultural exchanges and artistic developments.
Key Cultural Terms Defined
Mestizaje: The complex ethnic and cultural blend in colonial societies shaped by intermarriage and social interactions.
Casta System: Categorization of race and social standing based on ancestry, which deeply influenced colonial life and the visual arts.