Tecali 2: the murals

As noted before in this series, the arcaded basilica of Santiago Tecali is now roofless, its walls largely stripped of whatever early murals there might have been.  However, a few passages remain to indicate their former quality.

The Apse

The partially covered apse retains vestiges of colored ornament. Sections of the intricate, Moorish influenced, green and white artesonado vault still cling.

On the rear wall, elements survive of a vast, polychrome Crucifixion scene that once underlay the missing main altarpiece, whose eroded, wooden supports are still in evidence.

Sun, moon and stars

Openings and niches along the nave also shelter a few traces of the complex friezes and insignia that have survived the elements.

 

On either side of urns bursting with fruits, sheaves and birds, paired, winged figures play horns hung with banners emblazoned with scorpions—a pattern almost identical to friezes at Tepeapulco.

The West Front

Much of the basilican front is in place, notably the triumphal entry porch, framed in elegant purista style. 
   Fragments of mural decoration also cling to the somewhat protected spandrels above the doorway, featuring angels holding ribbons and foliage, skillfully painted in red, blue and orange hues.

text © 2016 Richard D. Perry.  images by the author and Niccolò Brooker

see some of our other posts on Mexican Murals:  Cuautinchán; Xometla; Culhuacán; Zacualpan; Ozumba; Tlalmanalco; Ixmilquilpan; Mama;  Izucar; Tree murals; Tepeapulco; Tula; Epazoyucan; Zempoala; Yecapixtla;