Santos in Oaxaca's Ancient Churches

Trinity:
In a shadow box below the unidentified santo is a Trinity. This Trinity is a highly unusual grouping. The Son, on the left, is dressed in a short red robe with a cape swirling out behind him, his hands out from his body and his feet planted in a pose of action and youthful power. He looks toward the Father who is seated in majesty, in the usual triple crown and in a gold and blue cope closed over the chest. Both figures have triangular halos and are supported by clouds held up by cherubs; a circle of cherubs is between Son and Father, above their heads.

A dove may once have been in the empty space within the circle. In that case, this work would be an adaptation (missing not only the dove but the cross) of a somewhat later iconographic type exemplified in this stained glass from the U.S. and this sculpture from Navarre. This latter type has the advantage of illustrating Catholic doctrine regarding the procession of the Holy Spirit. The triangular halos are from another tradition especially favored in Latin America, in which all three persons have the same face (for example, this work from New Mexico).

Basis for Identification: Christ with Father in cope and triple tiara, standing on Clouds, supported by angels. Triangular halos.

Media and construction: Wood, gesso, paint.

Size: 12 inches (30 cm.)

Comparable santos in Oaxaca: Diaz Ordaz, Mitla, Tamazulapan, Teitipac, Teotitlán, Tlacolula, Xoxocotlán, Yanhuitlán 1.

Next: Also in the narthex, a group of santos with a crucifix

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