Conflict and Imagery: Saint Michael and Ecclesiastical Power in New Spain
Niria E. Leyva-Gutiérrez
On 25 April 1631, Saint Michael the Archangel appeared to Indian Diego Lázaro in town of San Bernabé Puebla de los Ángeles. This apparition, sanctuary built honour Michael, and promotion his cult by Puebla’s episcopacy cemented a connection between saint city. What might have been an obscure occurrence tiny became crucial event for development New Spanish painting. Curiously, while apparition took place within jurisdiction, it was Mexico City that most spectacular imagery created. Of six large-scale canvases created at end seventeenth century cathedral’s sacristy, four include image archangel, but without reference Puebla. Conceived spirit competition with Puebla, decoration City’s sacristy offered chapter opportunity elevate its status document own archangel. paper explains how tensions two rival cities helped create such rich visual tradition Spain.
Hispanic Research Journal-iberian and Latin American Studies