Sunday, July 5, 2020

Mexico. Purificación Teotihuacan: the painted nave


Purificación Teotihuacan
This imposing barrio chapel of San Juan Teotihuacan, close to the celebrated pyramids, is noted for its iconic image of La Candelaria as well as its sculpted stone facade and colonial carved crosses.
facade detail
the evangelists Luke and Mark
But our interest here is in the painted walls and ceilings of the church interior.  The center ceiling is the most prominent, featuring large, striking images of the Four Evangelists, each with their outsized winged companions—the Tetramorph. The portraits are drawn in popular style in vivid shades of red, orange and greenish gray.
  
Sts Matthew & John
The vault nearest the sanctuary centers on an image of La Candelaria, accompanied by musical angels and elaborate glorias linked by floral ornament, in tones of red, blue and gold.
  
musical angels
  
St Jerome                           St Ambrose
Portraits of the Doctors of the Church in similar style appear on the upper nave walls.
text © 2020 Richard D. Perry
images by Niccolo Brooker and ELTB.