Fiveable
Fiveable
Fiveable
Fiveable

🖼️Art and Colonialism

Colonial Latin America and the Caribbean saw a fusion of European, indigenous, and African artistic traditions. The Baroque style dominated, with its dramatic contrasts and elaborate ornamentation, reflecting the power of the Catholic Church and Spanish Crown.

European influences shaped colonial art through imported artists and techniques. However, indigenous and African contributions led to unique hybrid styles, like Mestizo Baroque, that blended diverse cultural elements and artistic practices.

Colonial Art and Architecture in Latin America

The Baroque Style

Top images from around the web for The Baroque Style
Top images from around the web for The Baroque Style
  • The Baroque style was prevalent in colonial Latin American art and architecture from the late 16th to the early 19th century
  • Characterized by dramatic contrasts of light and shadow, elaborate ornamentation, and dynamic movement
  • Examples of Baroque art in Latin America include the Church of San Francisco in Quito, Ecuador and the Altar of the Kings in the Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral
  • The Baroque style was used to convey the power and grandeur of the Catholic Church and the Spanish Crown in the colonies

Other Notable Styles

  • The Rococo style, an 18th-century artistic movement, influenced the decoration of churches and domestic interiors in colonial Latin America
    • Emphasized grace, playfulness, and asymmetry
    • Examples include the interior decoration of the Church of Santa Clara in Bogotá, Colombia
  • The Churrigueresque style, a Spanish Baroque architectural style, was widely adopted in the design of churches and public buildings in colonial Mexico and Central America
    • Distinguished by its intricate and densely decorated facades
    • Examples include the Sagrario Metropolitano in Mexico City and the Church of San José in Antigua, Guatemala
  • The Mestizo Baroque style emerged in the Andean regions of South America during the colonial period
    • A unique fusion of European Baroque elements with indigenous motifs and techniques
    • Examples include the Church of San Lorenzo in Potosí, Bolivia and the Church of the Company in Arequipa, Peru
  • The Mudéjar style, a synthesis of Islamic and Christian architectural traditions, was employed in the construction of colonial churches and monasteries
    • Particularly prevalent in Mexico and the Caribbean
    • Examples include the Church of San Francisco in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and the Convent of San Bernardino de Siena in Valladolid, Mexico

European Influences on Colonial Art

Transmission of European Styles

  • The importation of European artists, architects, and artisans to the colonies facilitated the transmission of Renaissance, Mannerist, and Baroque styles to Latin America and the Caribbean
  • The use of European iconography, such as biblical scenes and Christian saints, dominated religious art in the colonies
    • Reflected the efforts of the Catholic Church to convert indigenous populations
    • Examples include the frescoes in the Church of Santo Domingo in Oaxaca, Mexico and the paintings in the Church of San Francisco in Quito, Ecuador
  • The adoption of European painting techniques, including oil painting and fresco, transformed the production of colonial art in Latin America and the Caribbean
    • Examples include the oil paintings of Cristóbal de Villalpando in Mexico and the frescoes of Manuel de Samaniego in Ecuador

European Influence on Architecture

  • The introduction of European architectural treatises and pattern books shaped the design of colonial buildings and urban spaces
    • Works by Sebastiano Serlio and Andrea Palladio were particularly influential
    • Examples include the Cathedral of Mexico City, designed by Claudio de Arciniega, and the Palace of the Marquises of Mancera in Lima, Peru
  • The incorporation of European decorative motifs into colonial art and architecture demonstrated the pervasive influence of European aesthetic preferences
    • Motifs included grotesques, acanthus leaves, and cherubs
    • Examples include the facade of the Church of San Francisco in Quito, Ecuador and the interior decoration of the Church of Santo Domingo in Oaxaca, Mexico

Colonial Art as a Reflection of Hierarchy

The Power of the Catholic Church

  • The construction of grand cathedrals and monasteries in colonial cities symbolized the power and authority of the Catholic Church
    • The Church played a central role in the administration of the colonies
    • Examples include the Cathedral of Mexico City and the Monastery of San Francisco in Lima, Peru
  • The use of precious materials, such as gold, silver, and jewels, in the decoration of churches and public buildings demonstrated the wealth and prestige of colonial institutions and their benefactors
    • Examples include the gold-plated altarpiece of the Church of San Francisco in Quito, Ecuador and the silver altar of the Church of Santo Domingo in Oaxaca, Mexico

Reinforcing Social and Racial Hierarchies

  • The commissioning of portraits and other artworks by colonial elites served to reinforce their social status and political influence
    • Elites included viceroys, bishops, and wealthy merchants
    • Examples include the portraits of Viceroy Juan de Mañozca y Zamora by Diego Quispe Tito in Peru and the portrait of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz by Miguel Cabrera in Mexico
  • The depiction of indigenous and African subjects in subordinate roles in colonial paintings and sculptures reflected the racial hierarchies and power dynamics of colonial society
    • Subjects were often portrayed as servants or slaves
    • Examples include the casta paintings of Mexico and the sculpture of Saint Benedict of Palermo in the Church of San Francisco in Lima, Peru
  • The segregation of indigenous and African populations in separate neighborhoods and the construction of humble parish churches for their use reinforced the social and racial divisions of colonial society
    • Examples include the indigenous neighborhoods of San Juan Tenochtitlan in Mexico City and San Lázaro in Lima, Peru

Indigenous and African Contributions to Colonial Art

Adaptation of Pre-Columbian Techniques

  • Indigenous artists and artisans, skilled in pre-Columbian techniques, adapted their practices to meet the demands of colonial patrons and markets
    • Techniques included weaving, pottery, and featherwork
    • Examples include the featherwork mosaics of Mexico and the textiles of the Andes
  • The incorporation of indigenous iconography into colonial art and architecture reflected the persistence of pre-Columbian artistic traditions and the agency of indigenous artists
    • Iconography included Aztec and Inca motifs
    • Examples include the facade of the Church of San Lorenzo in Potosí, Bolivia and the atrium cross of the Church of Acolman in Mexico

African Influences and Hybrid Styles

  • African slaves and their descendants, who constituted a significant portion of the colonial population, contributed their artistic skills and cultural traditions to the production of colonial art and architecture
    • Examples include the Afro-Brazilian sculptures of Aleijadinho in Brazil and the Afro-Mexican textiles of the Costa Chica region
  • The development of new artistic genres highlighted the contributions of indigenous and African artists
    • Genres included casta paintings, which depicted the racial and cultural diversity of colonial society, and ex-votos, which were votive offerings created by indigenous and mestizo artists
    • Examples include the casta paintings of Juan Rodríguez Juárez in Mexico and the ex-votos of the Church of the Virgin of Guadalupe in Mexico City
  • The collaboration between European, indigenous, and African artists and artisans fostered the emergence of hybrid artistic styles and techniques
    • Examples include the Mestizo Baroque style of the Andes and the Afro-Brazilian Baroque style of Brazil


© 2025 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.

© 2025 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.