Saint Viracocha and the Manco Cápac Child

Before we start, take a look at the painting above. Now ask yourself, in what part of the world would something like this be produced?

In the world of catholicism and all its “beauty,” there are two important figures: Saint Joseph and Jesus Christ. Hung before me is a 42” by 32” painting enclosed in a tarnished yet meticulously crafted frame. Bordering the edges of the piece are different kinds of flowers, all composed of various shades of red with hints of white. The flowers here serve as a border. This detail enables the painting to shine alone without the needed enhancement of a frame. The rosy petals of the flowers are contrasted by a dim, gray sky. There is a lack of pale-colored clouds at the top of the piece. As you graze your eyes down the scene, however, the clouds slowly begin to appear. This creates the illusion of a gradient, where the darker sky works in favor of the subjects’ faces. Amongst the clouds and {y} lifeless {claro} blues are three pink birds. In catholicism, the color pink represents a sense of joy amidst a season of penance. Unfortunately, this grim idea presents itself in other {lugares} of this piece than just a few mere birds in the corner of the painting. 

The focal point of this masterfully created work of art is Saint Joseph and Christ as a child. Embellished with gold, they are each garbed in red silk and velvet. According to their raiment, an aspect of movement is present. A movement that signifies power and action. These two figures are portrayed as saviors; divine men. They hold hands, alluding to their loving and bléssed relationship. Those hands {claros} are not lost against their deep-hued robes. Nor are their feet. Or faces. In fact, the dismal palette was likely used to help the two figures ascend above their repulsive ramifications. 

Sure, to our eyes they’re beautiful, civilized people. With red cheeks and admirable proportions. Luscious, soft curls that gracefully line their pale {claro} faces. 

That’s odd. 

Why don’t these saints have warm, caramel skin and stern visages? Where is their thick, black hair? Those elegant, striking noses; how its bridge seamlessly unites the forehead with its tip. Deep, dark eyes that hold so much that you’d think they’d shatter. I don’t see that here. Where are the colors? The azure, the crimson, the hunter? Everything in this painting is pink or red and featherless. There are no resplendent maschapayas or achala. 

There is nothing about this scene that is impressive. Not one thing about it references its place of creation. That’s why you keep thinking this is a European painting. A European painting painted by a European painter. 

And I don’t blame you. 

Because the first time I saw a piece like this, I thought it was spanish as well. 

But it's not. 

It's Peruvian. 

But you wouldn’t know that. 

And if you didn’t 

the colonizers have won. 

This painting was made in 17th century Cuzco, Peru. 

Cuzco is arguably the most important and historically laden city in Peru. 

When the Inca people were still in control of their land, Cuzco was their capital. As the spanish crept in and raped their soil, they deemed Lima as the capital. Colonial Peru was likely the most violent and gruesome era for Peru. Notable leaders like Túpac Amaru II fought for years to save their people from murder. He created his own militia composed of Inca people and Mestizos (people of both indigenous and spanish heritage) to fight the spanish in hopes of regaining their rights as people. They fought and fought but never won. Because they never win. 

I urge you to understand something, though. 

You must understand that these losses to the spanish are not in ANY way a true reflection of the Inca people and their ability to fight. 

As you never learned in school, the Inca Empire was one of the biggest and most violent empires to ever exist. They conquered Peru, Bolivia, southwest Ecuador, Colombia, and a large portion of modern-day Chile. Please put that into perspective, or else you won’t fully grasp this message that I so dearly need you to understand. Within 100 years, they gained control of over 12 million people. In the 15th century. No, they did not use any European technology like guns or swords. They used their own weaponry, like spears and clubs. Which, by the way, are not easy to control. They threw spears twice their height to great, unfathomable lengths. 

During the spanish invasion, their power started to decline. 

They were taken advantage of, violated, and mutilated because 

And yet, amongst all the barbarity (how ironic), art like this was produced. 

It sickens me. 

It disgusts me. 

How dare they create something of such magnificence while committing heinous, sacrilegious acts on other humans?

How dare they force a Mestizo to sit down and paint something that is only a reminder of the rape that his grandmother endured?

How dare they make him pick up a brush and glorify a history like this?

How dare they not credit him?

There are a couple of catholic paintings that came out of colonial Cuzco. And I’ve seen them. 

And under the word “Unknown” they all say something like this: “Purchased in Peru by [white man] for the [European] institution of art”. 

God. 

It's a never-ending cycle. 

Was native to the land. 

Then corrupted by a white presence.

My ancestors will never be avenged. 

Ever. 

Now think about the real significance of those pink birds.

Piece reflection:

I’d never capitalize anything that murdered my ancestors.