:For more than four centuries, the vast wealth and power of Spain
were direct results of its domination over large parts of the
Americas. In their conquest of the New World, the Spaniards were
interested in both gold to fill their treasury and the baptism of
souls for the glory of God. Art was highly useful in conveying
the church's doctrine and gospel, and early missionaries
frequently used artists to provide the visual language they
needed in their work of conversion.
Foreign artists dominated the New World during the early years of
the conquest, but by the middle of the Seventeenth century,
native talents supplanted that of imported artists. Indigenous
traditions and traces of preconquest characteristics were
incorporated into many Christians' artworks, imbuing them with a
distinctive quality. Pre-Columbian and European styles fused into
what is now called the Spanish Colonial style.
Organized by The Mint Museums, paintings, sculptures, silver and
furniture from the late Seventeenth through the Nineteenth
Century make up "Spanish Colonial Art from the Lilly and Francis
Robicsek Collection." On view through September 10, selections in
this special exhibition of Spanish Colonial art include works
from the collection of Dr and Mrs Francis Robicsek of Charlotte,
which have never been publicly displayed.
"Madonna and Christ Child," "Christ Child with Symbols of the
Passion" and "Saint John the Baptist," all from Peru, are just a
few of the 17 oil on cloth paintings shown in the exhibition.
"Saint Francis Penitent" from Mexico, "Saint Christopher and the
Christ Child" from Peru and "Archangel Raphael" from Ecuador are
just a taste of the 15 oil on canvas paintings.
Sculptures and statues in the exhibition include many well-known
subjects with a rich history behind each one. "Immaculate
Conception" from Mexico was created in the late Eighteenth
Century. The Virgin Mary, considered free of all sin and known as
the Immaculate Conception, was declared patroness of all Spanish
territories in the Americas in 1760. "Pope Saint Gregory the
Great" from Guatemala was also created in the late Eighteenth
Century. In this statue, Pope Saint Gregory the Great wears the
papal tiara and holds the papal staff, or crosier. He is known
for reform of the liturgy of the church and established a style
of chant known as Gregorian chant.
Along with these pieces, "Saint Michael Archangel Triumphant"
from Mexico, "Savior of the World" from the Philippine Islands
and "Saint John the Baptist" from Mexico are a few other statues
that stand side by side.
The Mint Museums have been able to collect furniture, silver and
other items from this time period. The array of furniture
includes altars and a portable cabinet on stand from the
Philippine Islands. The collection of silver and clothing in this
exhibition includes a commemorative plate from Peru, a helmet for
a statue of Saint Michael Archangel, a chasuble and a silver
plaque of "Sacred Heart of Jesus" from Mexico.
"Spanish Colonial art from the Lilly and Francis Robicsek
Collection" exhibits paintings, sculptures, silver and furniture
from a period that uniquely illustrates the merging of European
art, culture and aesthetics with those of the indigenous peoples
of Central and South American and the Philippine Islands. The
Spanish Colonial era presents a culture that constituted the
first great flowering of European traditions beyond its
continental borders and the resulting transformation that gave
the art of colonial Spanish America its special character and
sensibility.
The Mint Museum of Art is at 2730 Randolph Road. For information,
704-337-2009 or www.mintmuseum.org.
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