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 Teotitlán del
Valle: Christ
Child |
Our Lady of Sorrows
(Soledad) |
Our Lady of Sorrows (Soledad): We assume this to be a Soledad, but the figure wears a sunburst diadem rather than a crown, and there is no lily in the hands, which have been tied together.
Local Name: La Virgen de la Soledad. Basis for Identification: Black
and silver garments, with the veil framing the face. Site: Church of Santa María
de la Natividad (Preciosa Sangre de Cristo),
Teotitlán del Valle. Location: On the first large altar along the north wall of the nave, above the Señor de la Muerte (see note). Media and construction: Wood, gesso, paint, fabric clothing. Size: About 5½
feet (165 cm.) Comparable santos in Oaxaca: Achiutla, Santa Ana del Valle, Coixtlahuaca, Cuilapan, Ejutla, Etla, Huitzo, Mitla, Teposcolula1, Teposcolula2, Tilantongo, Xoxocotlán, Yanhuitlán, Zimatlán. External Links: Next:
Moving to another altar on the north side, we find a pair of crucifixes.
Introduction to Teotitlán 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. |