Abstract

We analyze some works of art representing St. Teresa of Ávila, within the corpus of sermons, paintings and sculptures of the New Spain, to investigate its proximity or their uniqueness regarding the metropolis. We confront texts and images to enrich reading and show some artistic repertoires where he enrolled to the figure of the holy reformer of Carmel.

Abstract

In a Catholic monarchy, it is to be expected that religion played a transcendentally important role. Not just from a spiritual standpoint, however, but far beyond that, it came to be one of the basic premises of the political and dynastic identity of the Habsburgs. Based upon this, a complex theological conception of politics was constructed, and all the available means of rhetoric and persuasion in Baroque society were mobilized for propagandistic dissemination. In particular, art at the service of faith became a useful instrument as the «broadcaster» of all visually transmitted ideology. In this respect, the two pillars that supported the Pietas hispanica —distinctive signs and mystic unifying agents— carried special importance:  Eucharistic and Immaculist devotion professed by the monarchs of the House of Austria. By this means, the political-confessional and propagandistic complex discourse that irradiated from the heart of the Monarchs to American territory was articulated. This article will look at some of the most significant images in relation to this theme, integrating them into the political-religious discourse of the time.

Abstract

This paper examines the images of Devil in the baroque festivals. The Devil is a familiar figure in these festivals and shows strong inclination to assume comic, ridiculous and grotesque forms, becoming target of popular mockery, perhaps with the aim of provide a remedy against the terrifying vision that appears at other occasions and genres.