Colonial Art

Colonial Art in the Reliquary of the Americas

The distinctive styles of art, sculpture and architecture that line the streets and fill many churches and monasteries of historic Quito were born from the Quito School of Art. This unique form encapsulates the city’s history, shaping the Quito one sees today.

Catholicism was a fundamental process in the colonisation of South America by the Spanish crown. Evangelisation became one of the most powerful tools in consolidating the conquest. As a consequence, religious art and architecture took on enormous importance in the splendid churches, monasteries and constructions. It provided the most effective means of religious instruction and the easiest way to convey the symbols of Catholicism.

The Spanish need to disperse large quantities of religious art around the continent stimulated the growth of home-grown artists, which, in turn, led to a unique blend of indigenous and European elements. As a result, Quito became one of the main production centres of religious art in the New World. Quiteño artists in particular were renowned for their great mastery of polychromatic use of colour, as well as their carvings in cedar or red oak of the Virgin Mary, Christ and numerous saints.

The style they developed – bold colours and exuberant decoration – found its greatest expression between 1660 and 1765, during which time the proliferation and flourishing of revered artists in Quito gave rise to what became known as the Quito School of Art. Its most distinguished artists included Miguel de Santiago, Bernado de Lagarda and Caspicara. Scholars consider their contributions to Colonial art some of the most valuable in all America.