180 - Colonial school in New Spain, Mexico, 18th century—Our Lady of Ocotlán with Indigenous Donors

Colonial school in New Spain, Mexico, 18th century—Our Lady of Ocotlán with Indigenous Donors Oil on copper. Dimensions: 82 x 62 cm. Dimensions with frame: 118 x 90 cm. This important, large-format devotional painting from the Viceroyalty of New Spain depicts Our Lady of Ocotlán, one of the most venerated Marian devotions in Mexico and the patron saint of the state of Tlaxcala. The composition features the image of the Virgin at its center, standing on a pedestal, crowned and adorned with a sumptuous triangular-shaped mantle richly ornamented with gilded plant and floral motifs. Her face, with its serene and delicate expression, is framed by long, dark hair, while her hands are clasped before her chest in prayer. The ornate richness of her garments, executed with meticulous gold lines on dark backgrounds, reflects the characteristics of the “dressed” Marian images that achieved extraordinary popularity in the religious art of New Spain. The main figure is surrounded by four cartouches with curvilinear profiles, decorated with exuberant gilded rocaille and small depictions of the Virgin, which reinforce the narrative and devotional character of the composition. On either side are delicate floral bouquets in reddish, pinkish, and white tones, introducing elements of naturalism and enriching the overall color scheme. At the bottom, two donor figures stand out: a man and a woman, depicted in half-length, dressed in period clothing, and positioned in an attitude of veneration before the sacred image. Their presence is one of the most distinctive aspects of the work, reflecting the importance of religious patronage and local elites in the artistic production of New Spain. The possible identification of these figures with prominent members of Tlaxcalan society is especially significant given the close historical connection between this devotion and the indigenous communities of the region. Between the portraits of the donors, against the reddish ...