Santos in Oaxaca's Ancient Churches

A study of santos in 16th-century and other churches in Oaxaca, Mexico

By Claire and Richard Stracke
Funded by a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation.

In Santiago Cuilapan:
Christ Carrying the Cross
Christ on Palm Sunday
Christ Resurrected
Crucifix
Immaculate Heart of Mary
Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Our Lady of Sorrows 1
Our Lady of Sorrows 2
Our Lady of Sorrows (Soledad)
Our Lady of the Rosary
Sacred Heart of Jesus
St. James the Moorslayer
St. Joseph
St. Michael the Archangel
Unidentified Dominican
Unidentified Saint
Virgin and Child

Other Santos at Santiago Cuilapan

Christ in a Coffin

Wood, gesso, paint. Hair: real hair. Parted lips. Height: 5 feet (150 cm.)

The body is covered by a white cotton sheet. The head rests on a quilted pillow. The crown of thorns, done in rope, rests on the sheet at the breast.

Location: West wall of the north chapel (see note).

Our Lady of the Assumption

In a glass case along the south wall of the nave (see note). The statue is partially visible on the right in the photograph of the St. Michael statue.

Previous santo

Introduction to Cuilapan

Note: On this site, references to the cardinal directions always assume that the main altar is at the east end of the church, the narthex or entry area at the west end, and the two walls of the nave on the north and south. (The nave is the long central section.) Actual orientations may differ.