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COLONIAL ART
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Spanish Colonial
Art and furnishings was a hybrid of art from the
end of the Renaissance and Mannerist periods mixed
with the substance of the Baroque and Neoclassical
styles. However, the artisans of the New Americas
from Mexico to Argentina fashioned their own style
of artwork that is uniquely found in Latin America.
The artisans of the 17th, 18th and 19th Centuries
combined all of these great European influences
with the style of their Indigenous heritage inherited
from their previous Pagan beliefs. The end result
is a wonderful display of artistry that tends
toward the surreal, the use of bright colours,
yet graphic in nature. Nowhere is this artistry
at it finest than the famous art school in Quito
and Cuenca, Ecuador……the “Quiteaño”
and “Cuencana” sculpture schools of
art. These schools originally founded by European
Missionaires no longer exist today but its techniques
and styles remain with the local artisans.
On a visit with us to Ecuador, we can introduce you to original collections as well as artisans that continue to perform reproduction work using the same methods from their ancestors. This page illustrates some original artwork as well as artisans that still practice their century’s old trade in Ecuador. Please contact us if we can assist you with any particular piece you are looking to acquire or with any questions/comments.
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EXAMPLE OF ORIGINAL COLONIAL ARTWORK
This glorious anglel is a fine representation
of sculpture from the Quiteño school of
art. Believed to be 18th Century, the piece is
painted in radiant yet subtle colors in polychrome.
The life like skin is in a style called “encarnado”
which gives it not only a real life look but a
real life feel to the touch. The wings are bronze
with a sterling silver leaf finish. The life size
figure is depicted with Crystal eyes.
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This 18th Century sculpture of Saint Francis of
Asisi is from the Quiteño School of Art
by an anonymous artist. It is 23.8” high
and 7.5” wide. The artisan used 24kt gold
leaf for details alone with crystal eyes as well
as eyelashes of a pigeon.
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TODAY´S ARTISANS
Handcrafted artistry still exists. The days of "guilds" have long disappeared but the tutorial system of the "maestro" and apprentice continues. Ecuador remains one of the world´s last countries to follow the European schooled systems. Our artisans are not employed by an international conglomerate practicing "sweat shop" labour practices but rather family operations where every member of the family has its role in the art form. Larger "tallers" do exist for reproductions in fibre-glass, but the emphasis is on higher quality with lower volume pieces. We have included some photos of some of our actual artisans practicing their trade.
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