Tzintzuntzan: The Cloister murals 1.

In a previous post we described two colonial portraits at Tzintzuntzan. We continue our series on the Tzintzuntzan murals with a look at the distinctive frescoes in the cloister.

The Lower Cloister
Enclosed by rectangular painted frames between an upper frieze and a burgundy colored lower dado, an extraordinary cycle of murals along the walls of the lower cloister illustrates the Seven Sacraments—to our knowledge a unique theme among Mexican cloister murals. 
   During recent restoration it was determined that the original, 17th century sepia toned  murals were overpainted in the 1700s with color and new detail, perhaps to reflect changing fashions of style in clothing and deportment. The sacraments portrayed include Matrimony, Confirmation, Confession, Baptism, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and the Last Rites.

 

Matrimony;                                Confirmation

 

penance;                                                 confession

   

Last Rites;                     Holy Orders

text © 2019 Richard D. Perry

images ©2017 Niccolo Brooker