Santos in Oaxaca's Ancient ChurchesA study of santos in 16th-century and other churches in Oaxaca, Mexico
By Claire and Richard Stracke Funded by a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation. In
San Juan Bautista Coixtlahuaca: Christ at the Pillar Christ Child (1) Christ Child (2) Christ Fallen with the Cross Main altar Our Lady of Sorrows Our Lady of Sorrows (Soledad) Our Lady of the Rosary St. Anthony of Padua St. Isidore the Laborer St. Martin de Porres + 2 angels St. Peter of Verona (Peter Martyr) Unidentified Dominican saint Unidentified, possibly St. Lucy Unidentified saint (1) Unidentified saint (2) Unidentified saint (3) Virgin Mary (1) Virgin Mary (2) Virgin Mary (3 - in a coffin) Santos not photographed |
Christ
Child |
Christ
Child Basis for Identification: We take
this baby to be the Christ Child, but the blue veil and
the stars on the sweater could suggest an identification
as the infant Virgin Mary. Other characteristics: Pink gown and
sweater. Site: Church of San Juan Bautista
Coixtlahuaca. Location: In a glass case on the altar in the third bay of the north wall of the nave (see note). Media and construction: Hair:
carved. Comparable santos in Oaxaca: Achiutla
(with Sacred Heart), Coixtlahuaca1, Huitzo
(boy, not infant), Teotitlán, Yanhuitlán1
(in case with crucifix), Yanhuitlán2. Introduction to San Juan Bautista
Coixtlahuaca Note: On
this
site,
references to the cardinal directions always assume
that the main altar is at the east end of the church,
the narthex or entry area at the west end, and the two
walls
of the nave on the
north and south. (The
nave is the long central section.)
Actual orientations may differ. |