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 San Juan Guelavia:

Christ fallen with the Cross
Christ in the pretorium
Crucifix
Our Lady of Mount Carmel
St. Nicholas Factor
Unidentified saint
Virgin and Child
Virgin Mary (1)
Virgin Mary (2)

Other Santos at San Juan Guelavia

Virgin and Child

Plaster.

Size: 10 inches (25 cm.)

Location: In a glass case on a table at the west end of the north wall of the nave.


Calvary (Crucifix and Three Mourners)

Local name: El Señor de la Misericordia.

Varnished wood.

Size: Cross is 18 inches (46 cm.), mourners 9 inches (23 cm.)

Location: In a glass case on a table at the west end of the north wall of the nave.


Crucifix

Local name: El Señor de la Misericordia.

Varnished wood.

Size: 14 inches (36 cm.)

Location: In a glass case on a table at the west end of the north wall of the nave.


Our Lady of the Rosary

Local name: La Virgen del Rosario.

Location: Along the north wall of the nave.


Unidentified Monk

Location: The left section of the lower tier of the retablo of the main altar.


Saint John the Baptist

Local name: San Juan Bautista.

Location: The center of the retablo of the main altar.


Christ in a Coffin

Lying under a purple coverlet. The crown of thorns is in the basketweave pattern, with thorns at the points where the strands intersect. From it streams a good deal of blood.

Local name: El Dios de la Muerte.

Media and construction: Fabric coverlet. Eyes glass, no lashes. Sculpted teeth.

Size: 5 feet (150 cm.)

Location: North wall of the nave.


Previous santo

Introduction to San Juan Guelavia

Santos Home Page