Casta painting is a genre of visual arts that was popular during the late 18th century in Spain and Mexico. The Spanish word casta roughly translates to the English word, ‘breed’; in other words, the genre of casta painting meant painting based on breed or one’s racial identity. (Frederick 496-499; Carrera 6). In order to understand the original meaning and tradition of the casta, it is important to trace back the roots why the culture of castas even existed in both Mexico and Spain. According to history, Spain was one of the countries in Europe that started the quest for colonization of lands in the New World aside from Portugal. Therefore, from the 16th up to the late 19th centuries, the effects of colonization of lands from other places in addition to the slave trade lead to the emergence of the new race of people which can be called as ‘half-breeds’ or people with impure blood. According to Carrera’s document, the notion of caste was so important in both Mexico and Spain because their life depended on it. In other words, the caste became synonymous with the racism especially towards the people born from the union of Spanish and people from other cultures most notably from the Native Indians, Moors and Africans. The purpose of establishing casta have been interpreted by two scholars: first reason according to Frederick, the culture of casta was racial discrimination of one superior culture towards a diminutive culture. Its main goal was to preserve the “purity” of the Spanish blood from other cultures and by doing so, the original pure-blooded Spaniards will be able to maintain their grasp on the society; thus, preserving the existence of the social hierarchy based from one’s race and status in life. (497). Meanwhile, in Carrera’s research, the culture of casta became the core of the Spanish and Mexican culture that it was the craze to investigate one’s ancestry to assert higher control especially if a person wants to maintain her properties and to avoid discrimination from the original pure blooded Spaniards. (6-7). In terms of artistic expression, the new movement called casta painting established itself as a genre by means of portraying the lives of the ordinary people from the casta cohort. Most of the casta paintings from both Mexico and Spain were highly detailed and valuable in learning the culture and history of this group. To the 21st century art student, examining these pictures will help them to learn more about the culture they are trying to study and with better understanding come an appreciation towards these works of art as the relics of humanity’s inequality towards one another in the past centuries.
The Catedral Metropolitana also known as Mexico Metropolitan Cathedral was a structure that combines different artistic styles from various periods. The original façade of the building was destroyed in 17th century and the building was remodeled and went to construction in from that period and still being renovated even to this age. Looking on the façade of this great structure, anyone can claim that the building combines various styles such as Baroque and Gothic. For instance, the high vaulted ceiling of the church have the Gothic elements of ribbed vaults, high stone arches, slender columns, and an elaborate Baroque nave at the center. Wide alleys and marbled pathways dominated the interiors of the building while façade bears a close resemblance to the Neo-Classical architecture which combines the some Romanesque elements such as thick walls and the opulence of the Baroque carvings. Meanwhile, the Baroque architecture can be seen on the carving from the exterior and also on the decorations found on the altar, nave, and the furniture. All bears an uncanny resemblance to the Versailles because of its richly intricate and elaborate carvings that is beautiful yet at the same time chaotic. (Cathedral Metropolitana de Mexico, “History”).
The Academy System in Mexico during the Colonial period was highly influenced by the artistic styles of Spain. However, Mexicans combined their own artwork to those of the imagery coming from Spain and most of them were religious although there were secular images. According to history, learning during the Colonial period was a really tough task especially for people who were deemed as casta and they were normally treated as inferiors compared to the pure blooded Spanish people. In fact, the learning was so hard and the class arrangements were based from one’s ethnicity. However, in terms of art, the people were allowed to be liberal in expressing their opinions and emotions through the use of art. In 1803, Alexander von Humboldt got a valuable experience about the nature of the artistic schools in Mexico to which he claimed that art makes men of all races equal to one another (Carr n.p.). Foremost, since Mexico is a Catholic country, the types of artworks that sold easily were religious images depicting the life and suffering of Jesus Christ as well as the lives of the 12 disciples. The following works are profitable during this period: copy works of the great masters especially from the Renaissance and historical paintings from the past civilizations. (Frank 185-187). In addition, the genre called casta paintings became popular amongst artists because it allowed them to
WORKS CITED
Carr, Steven. "Mexico’s Academy of San Carlos: How a School of Art Helped To Build a Nation." 2013. Web. The Schiller Institute. 12 Apr. 2016.
Carrera, Magali M. Imagining Identity in New Spain: Race, Lineage, and the Colonial Body in Portraiture and Casta Paintings. Austin, TX: University of Texas Press, 2003. Web. Google Book.
Frank, Ross. From Settler to Citizen: New Mexican Economic Development and the Creation of Vecino Society, 1750-1820. Berkeley/Los Angeles, CA: University of California Press, 2000. Web. Google Book.
Frederick, Jake. "Without Impediment: Crossing Racial Boundaries in Colonial Mexico." The Americas 67.4 (2011): 495-515. Web. Project Muse.
"History." Cathedral Metropolitana de Mexico. 2014. Web. 12 Apr. 2016.
