Santa Teresa 1750

Marcos Zapata painted this image of Santa Teresa in Peru sometime in the mid-18th century. It shows Saint Teresa of Ávila experiencing a vision of divine love, signified by the arrow piercing her heart. The painting is an example of the Cuzco School, which blended European artistic styles with indigenous traditions. The depiction of Saint Teresa, along with the Holy Family, reflects the influence of Spanish Catholicism, imposed during the colonial era. But the painting also incorporates local elements in the angels and bright color palette, reflecting the Andean environment. Such details provide clues about the social conditions that shaped artistic production in colonial Peru. To fully understand this artwork, it helps to explore both the history of religious institutions in South America and to understand the socio-political context that affected artistic patronage. Examining these aspects allows us to appreciate the complex cultural exchanges that shaped artistic expression in colonial Latin America.