Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
VISUAL ART
The country's most famous art movement dates to the 17th and 18th centuries, when the
artists of the Cuzco School produced thousands of religious paintings, the vast majority of
which remain unattributed. Created by native and
mestizo
artists, the pieces frequently fea-
ture holy figures laced in gold paint and rendered in a style inspired by mannerist and late
Gothic art - but bearing traces of an indigenous color palette and iconography. Today, these
hang in museums and churches throughout Peru and reproductions are sold in many crafts
markets.
One of the most well-known artistic figures of the 19th century is Pancho Fierro
(1807-79), the illegitimate son of a priest and a slave, who painted highly evocative water-
colors of the everyday figures that occupied Lima's streets: fishmongers, teachers and
Catholic religious figures clothed in lush robes.
In the early 20th century, an indigenist movement led by painter José Sabogal
(1888-1956) achieved national prominence. Sabogal often painted indigenous figures and
incorporated pre-Columbian design in his work. As director of the National School of Arts
in Lima, he influenced a whole generation of painters who looked to Andean tradition for
inspiration, including Julia Codesido (1892-1979), Mario Urteaga (1875-1957) and En-
rique Camino Brent (1909-60).
TRADITIONAL CRAFTS
Peru has a long tradition of producing extraordinarily rendered crafts and folk art. Here's what to look for:
»
Textiles
You'll see intricate weavings with elaborate anthropomorphic and geomet-
ric designs all over Peru. Some of the finest can be found around Cuzco (
Click here
)
.
»
Pottery
The most stunning pieces of pottery are those made in the tradition of the
pre-Columbian Moche people of the north coast. But also worthwhile is Chancay-style
pottery: rotund figures made from sand-colored clay. Find these at craft markets in
Lima (
Click here
).
»
Religious Crafts
These abound in all regions, but the
retablos
(three-dimensional
dioramas) from Ayacucho (
Click here
)
are the most spectacular.
