The Virgin of Guadalupe with the Four Apparitions

Nicolás Enríquez

Created:
Movement:
1773
Baroque
key Notes:
Religious iconography, Colonial Mexican art
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Dimensions:
22 1/4 × 16 1/2 in. (56.5 × 41.9 cm) Framed: 25 1/4 × 19 7/8 × 1 3/8 in. (64.1 × 50.5 × 3.5 cm)
medium:
Oil on copper
Difficulty:
Expert
New game
story of the work:

"The Virgin of Guadalupe with the Four Apparitions" is a painting created by Nicolás Enríquez in 1773. The work depicts the Virgin of Guadalupe, a significant religious figure in Mexican culture, alongside four apparitions that represent key moments in her appearances to Juan Diego. Enríquez was a prominent Mexican painter known for his religious works during the colonial period. The painting reflects the Baroque style, characterized by its dramatic use of color and intricate details. It is housed in the Museo de Arte de Querétaro, Mexico. The specific influences on Enríquez's style and the techniques he employed in this work are not extensively documented. The painting serves as an important example of the fusion of indigenous and European artistic traditions in colonial Mexico.

Description of the work:

"The Virgin of Guadalupe with the Four Apparitions," created by Nicolás Enríquez in 1773, is an oil painting on copper that depicts the Virgin Mary as the Virgin of Guadalupe, a significant figure in Mexican Catholicism. The composition features the Virgin centrally, adorned in a flowing robe with intricate patterns and a radiant halo, symbolizing her divine nature. Surrounding her are four smaller scenes representing her apparitions to various individuals, each framed within ornate borders that enhance the narrative quality of the work. The color palette is rich and vibrant, with deep greens, reds, and golds that contribute to the overall luminosity of the piece. The use of copper as a support medium allows for a smooth surface that enhances the detail and precision of Enríquez's brushwork. The painting exemplifies the Baroque style, characterized by dramatic contrasts of light and shadow, as well as a sense of movement and emotional intensity. The figures in the apparitional scenes are rendered with careful attention to anatomical proportions and facial expressions, conveying a sense of reverence and awe. Overall, the work reflects the fusion of indigenous and European artistic traditions prevalent in colonial Mexico.

Artwork Photograph Source:
Metropolitan Museum of Art

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The Virgin of Guadalupe with the Four Apparitions