The Baroque in Mexico It was the most prevalent artistic style in what was then New Spain between the 16th and 18th centuries, although in the north of the territory this predominance extended until the early 19th century. It was the Spanish who introduced this current in their American territories.
This style was born in Europe, specifically in Italy, at the beginning of the 16th century. In a context of strong religious confrontations between Catholics and Protestants, the characteristics of the Baroque style were used by the Church to reinforce its influence over the people..
Baroque art produced works in all genres, from literature to painting, with a special emphasis on architecture. In Mexico, for example, several of the most spectacular cathedrals and churches belong to this period, characterized by the forms and ornaments created to make the viewer more emotionally involved..
The Mexican Baroque gave rise, as early as the seventeenth century, to the so-called colonial style. This Latin American version of Baroque art had contributions from the indigenous people, who over time began to participate in the architectural creations.
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The Baroque appeared in Europe and, from Spain, arrived in New Spain with a certain delay compared to its presence in the metropolis..
In this way, this artistic style began to be used from the second half of the seventeenth century and remained the mainstream until the end of the eighteenth century. During all this stage a very intense artistic activity was developed, with large architectural constructions, as well as literary and pictorial works..
The Spanish conquest of present-day Mexico not only meant its political and territorial control. In the fields of culture and religion, the Spanish tried to eliminate the old indigenous traditions and impose their own.
However, the end result was a mixture of both mestizo cultures, although with a predominance of that carried by the conquerors..
At the beginning of the colony, the Spanish missionaries ordered the construction of numerous temples and convents. In many cases, these buildings were raised in shapes similar to those of fortresses. The most important streets of the cities were organized from these religious buildings.
As it happened in Europe, the style of religious temples varied over time. When the Spanish brought the Baroque style, its characteristics were used as a method of impressing the believers, especially the indigenous people who still remembered or preserved their ancient beliefs..
The imposition of Catholicism not only changed the beliefs of indigenous peoples. It also affected language, urban planning and all artistic manifestations. Despite this, cultural miscegenation began to appear.
The baroque style used classical forms and ornaments to sentimentally manipulate viewers. Their ornaments managed to give a greater illusion of movement and visual excitement..
Baroque artists sought a balance between several vital aspects: mortality and immortality; youth and old age; and sensuality and asceticism.
Its most common theme was related to religion, while in architecture it contained the expressionism of the Hellenistic period. On the other hand, the classicism typical of the Renaissance hardly appeared in the works.
The Catholic Church used the Baroque style as a way to reaffirm its dogmas. In Europe this served to confront the Protestants, while in Mexico it was a way to convert the indigenous people..
Among the doctrines that were reinforced with this artistic style were the Eucharist, the importance of priests, the adoration of the Virgin Mary and the saints, and the value of religious life..
The Baroque in Mexico had its maximum expression in architecture. Until the middle of the 17th century, both religious and civic buildings were built with a mixture of Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance styles. Later, the baroque style prevailed, although adding the peculiarities of Latin America.
The main difference with the European Baroque was the greater simplification. In Europe, more attention was paid to the manipulation of space, while in New Spain they focused on the modeling of surfaces, more dramatic and complex..
During the Baroque, Spanish and New Spain literature began to resemble each other more. Many great Spanish authors wanted to travel to America, such as Cervantes or San Juan de la Cruz, although they did not succeed for various reasons. Instead, writers such as Tirso de Molina or Juan de la Cueva did..
Stylistically, Baroque literature had as its main feature the contrast, the paradoxes and contradictions in the language and the themes used.
Likewise, puns, anagrams, symbols or emblems were very frequent. This is a literary style with a great presence of exaggeration..
Born in Mexico City in 1646, Juan Correa had an outstanding participation in the elaboration of altarpieces. Among his works stood out the two collaterals in the church of San Pedro and San Pablo, the altarpiece in the church of Jocotitlán or that of the parish of Santa Veracruz.
Correa was the author of the paintings in the sacristy of the Cathedral of Mexico, one of the culminating works of the Mexican Baroque.
The poetic work of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz made her one of the most representative Baroque writers in Mexico.
Among his works are redondillas, romances or sonnets, whose main themes were science, love and philosophy.
According to the biographers, Sor Juana learned to read at the age of three and with only seven she intended to study at the university. His ordination must have occurred in 1669, in the order of San Jerónimo of Mexico City. He passed away at 44.
In addition to poetry, the so-called Tenth Muse was also the author of several prose works, such as Reply to Sr. Filotea. Likewise, he wrote some plays, such as The efforts of a house Y Love is more maze.
Although his work was not highly valued by his contemporaries, Juan Ruiz de Alarcón is today considered one of the key theatrical authors of the Baroque. Among his works he highlighted The Suspicious Truth, a character comedy, the genre that the author most cultivated.
Juan Ruiz de Alarcón's style was based on the construction of characters with well-defined personalities, although difficult to understand. His work is full of puns and sayings, all with an enormous wealth of meanings. As was common in baroque literature, his works had a moralizing intention.
The construction of the Cathedral of Mexico began in 1571 and was not completed until 242 years later. Although there are two different architectural styles, it is the Baroque in predominant. On its walls there are samples of the miscegenation between the Spanish and the indigenous.
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