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
San Felipe Ixtapa
We have no pictures from San Felipe Ixtapa.

Sacred Heart

It is possible that this is a repainted older statue. The skin of the face and hands is done in a modern "flat" paint. All else is covered by the garments. A plaster Sacred Heart is on a stand in front of the glass case.

Basis for Identification: Heart on chest, gold-colored vertical halo behind head.

Location: Glass case on altar in the south wall of the narthex.

Media and construction: Wood, gesso, paint, fabric garments (?). Eyes: glass, lashes seem painted. Hair: wig. Size: about 4 feet (120 cm.)


Crucifix

Each eye is simply a light bulge in the face, painted with a line to suggest the closed lid. The wig covers carved hair. Crudely done, crudely re-painted.

Local Name: El Señor de la Misericordia

Location: On a stand centered in the first altar in the south aisle.

Media and construction: Painted wood, painted eyes, wig, purple fabric loincloth (embroidered), 2½ feet tall (75 cm.)


Christ

Crudely done.

Location: Left of the crucifix described above.


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