Santos in Oaxaca's Ancient ChurchesA 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 Pablo Huitzo: Christ |
Christ at the Pillar |
Christ at the Pillar: The figure carries the marks of the whipping, and there is some blood on the legs, but the wounds inflicted later in the story of Good Friday are absent. The statue thus appears to have been part of a well planned narrative. The figure expresses not so much agony as a weary, patient humility as the wrists rest heavily on the pillar. The head has a delicate look and seems a bit small for the body, which is well-muscled and sturdy. The thickness of the statue at the hips and thighs suggests an older, polychrome loincloth beneath the red velvet. The statue is in good condition, though there are chips where the neck meets the shoulders. Basis for Identification: Standing Christ, crossed hands tied to the top of a small pillar, wearing only a red loincloth. Site: Church of San Pablo Huitzo. Location: An altar along the south wall of the nave (see note). Media and construction: Wood, gesso, paint. Eyes: glass eyes. Hair: sculpted. Size: About 3 feet (90 cm.) Comparable santos in Oaxaca: Achiutla,
Etla, Coixtlahuaca. External Links: Next: On
the altar, above and to the left of this one, a statue of Christ Introduction to San Pablo Huitzo 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. The photo shown here is licensed under the
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license. You are free to share or remix it on two
conditions: first, that you attribute it to the
photographers, Claire and Richard Stracke, without
implying any approval of your work on their part;
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