Nuestra senora de Pomata / Our lady of Pomata / Notre dame de Pomata

Random visit Nuestra senora de PomataOur lady of PomataAnonymousCuzco, eighteenth centuryOil on canvas with gold leaf applications1.968 m x 1.262 mI was not to keen initially to visit the Museo Pedro de Osma, avenida de Osma, Barranco (Lima, Peru); collection of colonial art, but this was recommended by friends and…the guide was really excellent (a free, enthusiastic, patient, well qualified guide, just for the two of us); with her explanations I got the feeling I understood a bit better Peruvian culture and history. I know pics are of low quality, but thought that may be of some interest for some.Painting, the Cuzco school was founded with the purpose of serving Christianisation, although Lima was the siege of the Spanish power in Peru (current Peru and Bolivia) and most of South America (challenged only by Mexico); converting the siege of the former power was central to convert the continent, that’s why the school of Cuzco was founded. Masters were brought from Europe to teach the technics to locals, almost all art pieces were collective and are anonymous.This one is typical also in the way that (like with other civilisations in other places, like for example previously in Europe (Celts, etc)) symbols of the previous religion are included, appropriated (to ease the identification and conversion). The three main Inca gods where the sun, the moon and Pachamama (the “goddess mountain”) who all appear here, as in many such representations of the “virgin”; her overall shape is the one of Pachamama (of a mountain).The virgin is also often called Mamacha, which designed the oldest, wisest women in this society.Feathers (an important symbol for the Inca dignitaries) are also often included.