Mexican or Cuzco School; 18th century.
"Virgin of the Rosary with Saint Thomas Aquinas and Saint Dominic".
Oil on canvas.
Measurements: 28 x 18,5 cm; 42 x 53 cm (frame).
Image of scenographic presentation, which shows us the Virgin with the Child in her lap, seated on a throne of clouds, with cherubs crowning the Virgin. Both figures hold rosaries, which extend to Saint Thomas and Saint Dominic. The figure of Mary is a monumental, well-seated and sculptural figure, typical of Classicist Baroque, and occupies most of the pictorial surface, directly illuminated by a clear and uniform light, which models avoiding the excesses of tenebrism and creates a soft play of light and half-shadows. This light gives the flesh tones of both figures a pearly appearance, in keeping with the classical idealisation they display. The colours, especially the red of the Virgin's tunic, dominate the composition and are framed by the blue of the cloak. The figures stand out well silhouetted against a golden background of Gloria, subtly worked with shades of ochre and yellow, which is in turn framed by the typically Baroque, voluminous drapery that closes the composition on both sides.
It is worth noting that during Spanish colonial rule, a mainly religious painting was developed, aimed at Christianising the indigenous peoples. Local painters were modelled on Spanish works, which they followed literally in terms of type and iconography. The most frequent models were harquebusier angels and triangular virgins; however, in the early years of the 19th century, at the time of independence and political openness in some of the colonies, several artists began to depict a new model of painting with its own identity.