The Virgin of Guadalupei: The Formation of the Mother of Modern Mexico
Location
CSU 203
Start Date
23-4-2007 8:15 AM
End Date
23-4-2007 9:45 AM
Student's Major
Art
Student's College
Arts and Humanities
Mentor's Name
Aida Audeh
Mentor's Department
Art
Mentor's College
Arts and Humanities
Description
During the Spanish conquest of Latin America in the 16th Century, the indigenous peoples were confronted with powerful religious imagery communicating the ideologies of Christianity partnered with the infliction of severe violence. As one 19th Century essayist summarized "Espana conquisto America a cristazos" (Spain conquered America with blows of the crucifix). Scholarship suggests that colonization used a complex mix of force and persuasion to win over the native peoples. The colonizers also inserted their own ideologies into the daily lives of the colonized population through the use of art. The image of the Virgin of Guadalupe, developed out of the reformation of the image of the indigenous goddess Tonantzin, a goddess central to the beliefs of the indigenous populace, served just that purpose in the conquistadors' colonization of Latin America. However, even though the Virgin of Guadalupe was originally a tool of colonization. She became a symbol of empowerment and liberation for Mexico. This paper will explore the reasons behind the changes in the image of the Virgin from its origins in Europe to the beloved, darkskinned image of the Virgin of Guadalupe. In order to understand the changes that the image of Mary underwent, we must consider what was happening in the religious art of Europe, particularly Spain, at this time, as well as in native Aztec art before the conquest. In addition to art historical method, this paper will utilize aspects of modem psychology and anthropology to explain the phenomenon of this iconographic change.
The Virgin of Guadalupei: The Formation of the Mother of Modern Mexico
CSU 203
During the Spanish conquest of Latin America in the 16th Century, the indigenous peoples were confronted with powerful religious imagery communicating the ideologies of Christianity partnered with the infliction of severe violence. As one 19th Century essayist summarized "Espana conquisto America a cristazos" (Spain conquered America with blows of the crucifix). Scholarship suggests that colonization used a complex mix of force and persuasion to win over the native peoples. The colonizers also inserted their own ideologies into the daily lives of the colonized population through the use of art. The image of the Virgin of Guadalupe, developed out of the reformation of the image of the indigenous goddess Tonantzin, a goddess central to the beliefs of the indigenous populace, served just that purpose in the conquistadors' colonization of Latin America. However, even though the Virgin of Guadalupe was originally a tool of colonization. She became a symbol of empowerment and liberation for Mexico. This paper will explore the reasons behind the changes in the image of the Virgin from its origins in Europe to the beloved, darkskinned image of the Virgin of Guadalupe. In order to understand the changes that the image of Mary underwent, we must consider what was happening in the religious art of Europe, particularly Spain, at this time, as well as in native Aztec art before the conquest. In addition to art historical method, this paper will utilize aspects of modem psychology and anthropology to explain the phenomenon of this iconographic change.
Recommended Citation
Seewald, Alicia. "The Virgin of Guadalupei: The Formation of the Mother of Modern Mexico." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 23, 2007.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2007/oral-session-02/2
