Santos in Oaxaca's Ancient Churches

A study of santos in 16th-century and other churches in Oaxaca, Mexico

In the church of Santo Domingo Yanhuitlán:

Christ carrying the Cross
Christ Child
Christ Child (with Crucifix 1)
Christ seated in the pretorium ("Pensive Christ")
Crucifix 1
Crucifix 2
Main altar
Our Lady of Guadalupe
Our Lady of Sorrows
Palm Sunday Christ
St. Dominic 1
St. Dominic 2
St. Michael
St. Michael (with Crucifix 1)
St. Peter
St. Raphael (with Crucifix 1)
St. Sebastian
Soledad (?)
Trinity 1
Trinity 2
Unidentified Dominican nun
Unidentified Franciscan
Unidentified saint 1
Unidentified saint 2 (Christopher?)
Unidentified saint 3
Virgin Mary 1
Virgin Mary 2

Other santos not photographed

Basis for Identification: Blue robe and cape, but bareheaded. The picture to the right could be meant to associate the statue with the Immaculate Conception (typically portrayed standing on the heads of angels with a sunburst halo and a blue mantle as here).

Site: Church of Santo Domingo Yanhuitlán.

Location: Left end of an altar along the south wall of the nave (see note).

Comparable santos in Oaxaca (Immaculate Conception): Tamazulapan and possibly Tlaxiaco.

Comparable santos in Oaxaca (generic Virgin Mary santos): Achiutla, Etla1 (in the Soledad group) Etla2, Guelavia1, Guelavia2, Nochixtlán, Ocotlán, Teotitlán, Teotitlán2, Tilantongo1, Tilantongo2, Yanhuitlán1, Zimatlán.

External Links (Immaculate Conception):
Catholic Encyclopedia: Immaculate Conception
Wikipedia: Immaculate Conception
Christian Iconography: The Immaculate Conception

Santos Home Page

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.