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Archangel with Arquebus

Archangel with Arquebus

18th Century

Alto Peru (CUZCO School)

Oil on canvas.

Provenance: Collection of Dr. Porfiro J. and Mrs. Socorro Rodriguez Callo

 

Wearing the elegant, lace trimmed clothing of the elite -- a doublet with slit sleeve, a three-quarter lenght coat, knee breeches, silk stockings tightly gathered at the knees and bound with ribbons and a broad brimmed hat crested with three plumes (a symbol of Inca royalty and also a Tirnitarian symbol), -- the angel is readying to take aim at an unseen target. The angel is not wearing boots but rather town shoes of soft leather topped by tufts of silk ribbons or more lace.

 

The composition is divided into halves. The coat is disposed in a symmetrical pyramid. The two sleeves billow out like two halved of an inflated ballon. And the sight of the gun divides the painting into two isoceles trianges (a traingle with two equilateral sides). The left foot is thrust forward and continues the cirlceld arc fomed by the head. In the back can be seen the bottom part of a huge red sash and to the left swings out two braids of ribbons (one scarlet and one brown) to which the powder flask would be attached.

 

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Uploaded on December 30, 2010
Taken on December 30, 2010