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 Santa Ana del Valle: Christ: Ecce Homo Crucifix (1) Crucifix (2) Crucifix (3) Crucifixion Group Holy Family Our Lady of Sorrows Our Lady of Sorrows (Soledad) Palm Sunday Christ St. Anne (1) St. Anne (2) St. Anne (3) St. Joseph St. Peter of Verona (Peter Martyr) Trinity |
Other Santos at Santa Ana
del Valle |
Crucifix 1 Small wood crucifix. Local Name: El Señor de la Misericordia. Location: Center of the retablo of the main altar,
above the Santa Ana. Comparable santos and External links: see next entry. Comparable
santos in Oaxaca: Achiutla,
Santa Ana del Valle1,
Santa Ana del Valle2,
Santa Ana del Valle3,
Cuilapan,
Etla, Guelavia,
Mitla, Nochixtlán,
Tamazulapan1,
Tamazulapan2,
Teitipac1,
Teitipac2,
Teitipac3,
Teotitlán1,
Teotitlán2, Teposcolula1,
Teposcolula2,
Teposcolula3
(in Rosary case), Teposcolula
Convento1, Teposcolula
Convento2, Tilantongo1,
Tilantongo2,
Tlacolula,
Xoxocotlán1, Xoxocotlán2, Xoxocotlán3, Xoxocotlán4, Yanhuitlán1, Yanhuitlán2, Yanhuitlán
Convento1, Yanhuitlán
Convento2, Yanhuitlán
Convento3, Yanhuitlán
Convento4, Yanhuitlán
Convento5, Yanhuitlán Ayuxi Chapel, Zimatlán. External Links: Crucifix 2
Sr. Aquino Cruz informed us that this was an eighteenth-century work. The only visible paint is the blood flowing from the wound in the side. An elegant flower adorns the front of the crown of thorns. The figure is held to the cross by red ribbons tied at the hands, feet, and chest. The loincloth and scutum are heavily embroidered in silver thread. The cross is made of dark dowels with brass end caps. The "INRI" plaque is separate, carved in a scroll shape with the letters gold in color. To the left and right in the case are two polychrome shapes, resembling fireplace screens. The altar which features this crucifix extends beyond the corner into which it has been placed, as if it had been made for another site. Local Name: El Señor de la
Misericordia. Basis for Identification: On cross, crown of thorns, loincloth with scutum. Location: In a glass case in the center of the retablo of the altar at the northeast corner of the nave (see note). Media and construction: Wood
with some paint, fabric loincloth and scutum over carved
loincloth and scutum. Size: About 18 inches (45 cm.) Comparable santos: see Crucifix 1 above. External Links: see Crucifix 1 above. Crucifix 3 There is an innocent power in the narrative literalness of the representation. The feet cross at right angles, not in collapse but simply standing one on the other. The blood flows from the wound in the side in a simple triangular pattern which is repeated by bloody triangles at the two shoulders, where the cross would have been carried. The whole stance is one of presentation, of a living Christ who holds his arms out at almost right angles in sacrifice. The head drops humbly on a stiff neck, but the open eyes are directed toward the viewer who approaches. Blood also streams from lesions at the knees, hands and feet. There is an "INRI" scroll. The crown of thorns is narrow and not done in the basketweave pattern. A sash at the chest holds the body to the cross.
Local Name: El Señor de la Misericordia. Basis for Identification: On cross, crown of thorns, off-white loincloth and scutum. Site: Church of Santa Ana del Valle. Location: Centered on an altar at the east end of the south wall of the nave, before a mural of the Crucifixion and Resurrection (see note). Media and construction: Wood, gesso, paint, fabric loincloth and scutum. Eyes: glass, with painted lashes. Hair: wig. Size: About 5½ feet
(165 cm.) Comparable santos: see Crucifix
1 above. External Links: see Crucifix 1 above. Angel Small. Location: In a niche above the crucifix on the main altar. Four Eagles Double-headed, carved. Location: On either side of the mirrors at the top of the retablo of the main altar. Introduction to Santa Ana
del Valle 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.
|