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 |
Virgin
and
Child |
Virgin
and
Child:
The child is held awkwardly in the left arm and is disproportionately small; only its head can be seen. The right hand holds what appears to be a golden ball. A large pendant hangs from the neck. The shape of the figure is conical, perhaps suggesting frame construction. A neon ring light hangs above the figure from the ceiling of the glass case. Basis for Identification: Blue
mantle over white gown, baby in arms, full crown. 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). Comparable santos in Oaxaca: Coixtlahuaca2, Cuilapan, Guelavia, Huitzo, Díaz Ordaz1, Díaz Ordaz2, Zimatlán. External Links: Next: In
this same bay, a
statue of the Christ Child. 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. |