Colonial Pietà c. 1800 Oil on Copper Mexican or Peruvian School

Colonial Pietà c. 1800 Oil on Copper Mexican or Peruvian School

A work of exquisite religious sensitivity, this viceregal Pietà, executed in oil on copper plate between circa 1780 and 1820, stands out not only for its technical quality but also for its profound spiritual and symbolic depth. In it, the Virgin Mary tenderly holds the lifeless body of Christ after the Crucifixion, representing a scene of contained sorrow and redemptive hope. The choice of copper as a support is no accident, used for its smooth surface, durability, and ability to reflect light, it was widely cultivated in the artistic circles of the Viceroyalty of New Spain and Peru, where European tradition merged with American spirituality. This type of support allowed for exceptional chromatic intensity and level of detail, clearly visible in this piece.

The representation of the Pietà, where the Virgin Mary holds the body of Christ after the Crucifixion, has been one of the most moving and representative themes in Christian art. Born in Europe during the Middle Ages, it found fertile ground for reinterpretation in viceregal America. With devotion deeply rooted among the faithful, this image was reproduced in paintings, sculptures, and engravings, particularly cultivated in convents and workshops of New Spain and the Viceroyalty of Peru.

The Passion iconography is precise and deeply meditative. Christ is depicted after his descent from the cross, while the Virgin, covered with a dark green veil and a purple tunic, raises her gaze with an expression of contemplation and compassion. Light radiates from the background in the form of a golden mandorla, a reminiscence of late Baroque art reinterpreted by the devotional workshops of the New World, providing strong visual drama to the scene.

The technique of oil on copper had notable diffusion in these territories, favored by the availability of the mineral and its capacity to allow a brilliant and lasting finish. Viceregal painting on copper was distinguished by its attention to detail, the vividness of its colors, and its use in portable formats intended for both public and private worship. Colonial versions of the Pietà often display greater emotional intensity and heightened gestures, in harmony with Baroque spirituality and the popular sensibility of the time. Based on its style, it could be slightly inclined towards New Spain (Mexico), although a Peruvian origin cannot be ruled out without further pigment or historical analysis.

Discreetly included at the bottom are the crown of thorns and the nails of the crucifixion, elements acting as devotional emblems, characteristic of American viceregal art and rare in European compositions. These symbols reinforce the contemplative character of the work, inviting the viewer to a profound spiritual experience. The composition, centered, balanced, and symbolically powerful, is charged with serene emotion and remarkable mastery in the treatment of the faces.

These works functioned not only as aesthetic objects but also as vehicles of meditation, intended to foster inner recollection and empathy with the suffering of Christ and His Mother. Today, the collecting and study of viceregal art have experienced a significant resurgence, and pieces like this are highly valued both in the art market and by cultural institutions. Their rarity, symbolism, and technical quality make them valuable testimonies of colonial American religiosity and art.

The gilded wooden frame retains its original patina with slight signs of time, which only enhance its authenticity. The painting is in good overall condition, with some minor oxidation typical of its age, which does not affect its reading or visual impact.

A work of high aesthetic and spiritual value, ideal to be reintroduced into the Church, for use in a parish, or to be integrated into a collection of viceregal or devotional art. Its presence brings solemnity, history, and a profound echo of faith.

A singular piece, combining technical beauty and religious fervor, perfect for lovers of colonial art.

Dimensions: 28 x 22 cm (11 x 8.66 in).

Visible painting: 21.5 x 16 cm (8.46 x 6.3 in).