Discovering Viceregal Latin American Treasures

Discovering Viceregal Latin American Treasures presents a survey exhibition bringing together
more than one hundred works of art from the Viceregal period. Spanning painting, sculpture,
furniture, textiles and precious objects, the exhibition explores the richness and diversity of artistic
production in Latin America during the 17th and 18th centuries.

Presented by Colnaghi in collaboration with Jaime Eguiguren Art and Antiques, the exhibition
takes place both virtually and across Colnaghi’s galleries in London, New York and Madrid. It
marks the first ever online exhibition dedicated to art from the viceregal period, offering audiences
the opportunity to examine the works in detail from anywhere in the world.

The exhibition is supported by a printed catalogue described as the most in depth publication on
Viceregal art to date. Bringing together museum quality works, the presentation reflects a growing
interest in this field, following recent institutional exhibitions and strong market demand.

The works on view date from the 17th to 18th century and include paintings, sculptures, chests,
gold and silver objects, furniture and textiles. Many of these objects were produced within
workshops established by the Catholic Church, where indigenous artisans were trained and
developed distinctive artistic traditions such as the Quito School.

Highlights of the exhibition include a sculpture of The Archangel Michael Defeating the Devil from
the Quito School, an important example of this artistic tradition, and a pair of oil and mother of
pearl paintings by Juan and Miguel González from Mexico. Also featured is a Portrait of Sor Juana
Ines de la Cruz at the age of 25, an oil on copper work considered the only known portrait of the
poet painted during her lifetime.

Additional works include a depiction of Jesus of Nazareth, reflecting devotional imagery
associated with Holy Week processions and characterised by richly detailed surfaces and textiles.
Alongside these Old Master works, antiquities from the Pre Columbian period and works by Latin
American modernists are also presented, highlighting Colnaghi’s commitment to cross category
collecting and to presenting works from different periods together.

Discovering Viceregal Latin American Treasures offers a broad view of artistic production across
the Spanish Americas, bringing together rare and important works that reflect the cultural,
religious and material traditions of the period.