Exploring Colonial Mexico©
Exploring Colonial Mexico©
The subject of Souls in Purgatory, or Las Animas as it is commonly called, is ubiquitous in Mexican colonial art; in murals, paintings and even sculptures. It has been a popular theme since the introduction of the doctrine in the 17th century.
This early 19th century painting, which hangs in the 16th century church of San Pedro at Jarácuaro, a former island community beside Lake Pátzcuaro, is typical of this popular genre.
Derived from traditional depictions of the Last Judgment, the Souls in Torment are usually shown in the lower part of the composition, enveloped in flames and desperately appealing for succor to the saints or saints depicted in the center. These may be Christ Crucified, as in the painting above, the Virgin Mary, St. Michael the Archangel or other popular saints commonly including St. Francis or St. Dominic.
In addition to the Souls in Torment, other players often include the Holy Trinity, seen seated at the top of the present retablo, other popular saints, the ranks of the Blessed and hosts of angels.
In this painting the supporting cast includes a group of angels, center left, playing instruments of the period, which include a horn and a clarinet, as well as a more sinister character plucking his guitar down among the tormented.
We would like to thank Robert Starner, distinguished scholar of the pictorial representation of music, musicians and instruments in Mexican colonial art for bringing this painting to our attention and providing several of the images on this page.
SOURCES AND LINKS:
This page sponsored by La Casa Encantada
