Miguel de Mendoza: a colonial artist in Oaxaca. 4

This is our final post on the colonial painter Miguel de Mendoza.
In previous pages we focused on his extant work in the Mixteca Alta region of Oaxaca. However some of his later works can be found in other locations outside this region, which we selectively review here.
   As mentioned in our initial post, he learned his craft in Puebla, and it is there that several of his paintings reside, notably in the tiled barrio church of La Luz on the outskirts of the city.

  

La Luz: The Annunciation; The Adoration of the Three Kings (Eduardo Limón)

A full set of paintings portraying events in the life of the Virgin Mary, formerly mounted in a single large altarpiece, are now mounted on walls in different areas of the church. The majority are signed by Mendoza and dated 1731.
   These are among the most complex of Mendoza's compositions.  Richly colored in vibrant reds, blues and a range of warm earth tones, they are typical of his later style, still influenced by Cristóbal de Villalpando but foreshadowing his successor and fellow native Oaxacan Miguel Cabrera. 

  

La Luz:  La Purísima; The Coronation of the Virgin (Eduardo Limón)

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In addition to those in Puebla, a few major paintings by Mendoza are located elsewhere in Mexico:

Museo Regional de Guadalajara: The Annunciation (signed 1735)

These two superb late paintings by Mendoza are closely related, although now in separate collections.  Even the models for the Virgin Mary appear the same.

  In both, we can appreciate the artist's mature style in his command of light and glowing color, and his sympathetic portrayal of a warm and intimate scene.

Museo Nacional de Arte: The Visitation (signed 1735)

text © 2016 Richard D. Perry

based on, with images adapted from, the 2013 thesis DON MIGUEL DE MENDOZA. PINTOR INDIO CACIQUE, CATALOGO E ITINERARIO ARTÍSTICO  by Perla Miriam Jimenez Santos

See some of our earlier posts featuring important Mexican altarpieces:

San Cosmé, Calkini; Calotmul; Coixtlahuaca; Taxco; Tejupan; Oaxaca: San Agustín; Sotuta; Conkal; Oaxaca: San Felipe Neri; Yanhuitlan; Aranzazu; Amacueca; El Cabezón; Tepeyanco; Salamanca; Cadereyta; 

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