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Popayan, 17th–18th centuries, Crown of the Andes, ca. 1600–1700 gold, cast, repousse, and chased, with emeralds; height: 13 1/2 in. (34.5 cm) diameter: 13 1/4 in. (33.7 cm). Private collection

Indy Museum of Art’s Sacred Spain exhibition breaks new ground

Catherine Saunders-Watson
Catherine Saunders-Watson
Popayan, 17th–18th centuries, Crown of the Andes, ca. 1600–1700 gold, cast, repousse, and chased, with emeralds; height: 13 1/2 in. (34.5 cm) diameter: 13 1/4 in. (33.7 cm). Private collection
Popayan, 17th–18th centuries, Crown of the Andes, ca. 1600–1700 gold, cast, repousse, and chased, with emeralds; height: 13 1/2 in. (34.5 cm) diameter: 13 1/4 in. (33.7 cm). Private collection

INDIANAPOLIS (AP and ACNI) – The first exhibition to examine the religious visual culture of 17th-century Spain and Latin America, Sacred Spain: Art and Belief in the Spanish World, is currently on view at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. The exhibition, which contains 71 pieces from 45 lenders in Spain, Mexico, Peru and other nations, has been drawing visitors from around the world.

The artworks displayed in the Allen Whitehill Clowes Gallery of the museum’s Wood Pavilion bring to life the challenges faced by visual artists such as El Greco, Francisco Zurbarán, Alonso Cano, Francisco Ribalta, Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, Juan de Valdes Leal, Juan Correa, Cristobal Villalpando and others, who were charged with the creative task of making religious imagery that was useful, truthful and moving.

The exhibition features paintings, polychrome sculpture, metalwork and books, many of which have never before been seen in the United States, that not only illustrate religious iconography and allegory, but also bring to light the significant role of the artist in 17th-century Spain.

Among the treasures in the special exhibition is a painting by El Greco of the veil of Veronica, which Christ used to wipe his face.

It also includes a life-size sculpture of the crucified Christ that has never been displayed outside the Spanish town where it has been part of Good Friday processions since 1652.

The exhibition is free of charge and runs through Jan. 3, but it won’t travel beyond Indianapolis. Many pieces must return home to convents and parishes in time for Lenten observances.

For additional information, visit the Indiana Museum of Art online at: www.imamuseum.org/exhibitions/sacred-spain/

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AP-CS-12-02-09 1144EST

ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE

Juan Correa (Mexican, circa 1646–1716), The Woman of the Apocalypse, ca. 1689, oil on canvas, 92 1/4 x 48 7/8 in. (234 x 124 cm). Acervo del Museo Nacional del Virreinato, Tepotzotlán / INAH
Juan Correa (Mexican, circa 1646–1716), The Woman of the Apocalypse, ca. 1689, oil on canvas, 92 1/4 x 48 7/8 in. (234 x 124 cm). Acervo del Museo Nacional del Virreinato, Tepotzotlán / INAH
Pedro Roldan (Spanish, 1624–1699), Saint John the Evangelist on Patmos, ca. 1665, polychromed wood, silver; 19 5/8 x 11 3/4 x 12 1/4 in. (50 x 30 x 31 cm). Monastery of Santa Clara, Clarisas Franciscanas, Montilla (Córdoba).
Pedro Roldan (Spanish, 1624–1699), Saint John the Evangelist on Patmos, ca. 1665, polychromed wood, silver; 19 5/8 x 11 3/4 x 12 1/4 in. (50 x 30 x 31 cm). Monastery of Santa Clara, Clarisas Franciscanas, Montilla (Córdoba).
Juan Correa (Mexican, circa 1646–1716), St. Luke Painting Our Lady of the Snows, ca. 1680–90, oil on canvas over wood, 79 1/2 x 44 1/8 in. (202 x 112 cm). Acervo de la Pinacoteca anexa al Templo de San Felipe Neri, La Profesa, Mexico City.
Juan Correa (Mexican, circa 1646–1716), St. Luke Painting Our Lady of the Snows, ca. 1680–90, oil on canvas over wood, 79 1/2 x 44 1/8 in. (202 x 112 cm). Acervo de la Pinacoteca anexa al Templo de San Felipe Neri, La Profesa, Mexico City.
Bartolome Esteban Murillo (Spanish, 1618–1682), Fray Julian of Alcala’s Vision of the Ascension of the Soul of King Phillip II of Spain, 1645–46, oil on canvas, 66 7/8 x 73 5/8 in. (170 x 187 cm). Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute, Williamstown, Mass., 1968.19.
Bartolome Esteban Murillo (Spanish, 1618–1682), Fray Julian of Alcala’s Vision of the Ascension of the Soul of King Phillip II of Spain, 1645–46, oil on canvas, 66 7/8 x 73 5/8 in. (170 x 187 cm). Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute, Williamstown, Mass., 1968.19.