Religious Architecture and Art in South America: Influences and Innovations from the Spanish Colonial Period
I. The influence of Spanish colonialism on religious architecture in South America
1.1 Architectural style
During the Spanish colonial period, the European Renaissance movement and Baroque art style began to spread in South America, which had a profound impact on South American religious architecture, Spanish architectural style is mainly reflected in South American churches, monasteries, religious buildings and other buildings, these buildings in the design and construction, integrated with the European Renaissance movement and Baroque art style, forming a unique South American colonial architectural style.
1.2 Building materials
During the Spanish colonial period, European building materials and techniques also began to be introduced into South America, which had an impact on South American religious architecture, materials such as stone, wood, clay and masonry were widely used, and in South American architecture, these materials were used very flexibly and ingeniously, for example, Cusco Cathedral in Peru, is a magnificent building of the Columbus era, using fine stone and construction techniques, with the characteristics of the European Renaissance.
1.3 Use of works of art
In the religious architecture of South America, the use of artworks is also one of the influences of the Spanish colonial period, the use of religious artworks makes the architecture more colorful, giving people a solemn and sublime feeling, the production and use of these artworks, reflecting the religion and culture of South America at that time, has become an indispensable part of religious buildings and artworks.
II. The Influence of the Spanish Colonial Period on South American Art
2.1 Innovation of religious artworks
During the Spanish colonial period, religious artworks in South America have been greatly developed and innovated, religious artworks mainly refer to church sculptures, murals, altars and other items, these items are often in the center of the building, is the focus of the church, Spanish colonists brought European art technology and culture, for South American religious artworks innovation and development provided an opportunity, the production of religious artworks not only made the church more gorgeous and solemn, but also expressed the culture and belief of South America at that time.
2.2 Innovation in the art of painting
In addition to religious artworks, the Spanish colonial period also played an important role in the development of painting art in South America, Spanish colonists brought European painting technology and culture, providing conditions for the innovation and development of South American painting art, South American painting art is mainly manifested as frescoes and paintings, these artworks not only add beauty to the interior decoration of churches, but also reflect the culture and beliefs of South America.
For example, the Santo Domingo Church in Peru has a large number of frescoes depicting biblical stories and local culture, fully reflecting the cultural diversity and religious beliefs of South America at that time, in which Spanish and South American cultural elements blend together to show a unique artistic charm.
III. Characteristics of Religious Architecture and Works of Art in South America
3.1 Features of religious buildings
Religious architecture in South America was greatly developed during the Spanish colonial period with unique architectural styles and characteristics, which are usually dominated by churches, which are characterized by:
(1) Adopt traditional European religious architectural styles, such as Gothic architecture, Renaissance architecture, etc.
(2) Use a large number of religious artworks to make the building more gorgeous and solemn.
(3) Combined with the culture and beliefs of South America, it presents a unique architectural style.
For example, the church of Santo Domingo in Cusco, Peru, adopts the Gothic architectural style, but at the same time uses local building materials and handicrafts to show the architectural characteristics of South America.
3.2 Characteristics of religious artworks
Religious artworks in South America have also been greatly developed and innovated during the Spanish colonial period, with unique artistic styles and characteristics, these artworks usually appear in the form of sculptures, murals, altars, etc., which are characterized by:
(1) Combining the culture and beliefs of Europe and South America, it presents a unique artistic style.
(2) The use of a large number of precious materials and exquisite craftsmanship shows a high level of art.
(3) reflects the religious and cultural diversity of South America.
For example, the altar of the church of San Francesco in Ecuador is one of the masterpieces of religious art in South America, with a large amount of gold and precious stones used on the altar, and its carving and decorative craftsmanship show the beauty of South American religious art during the Spanish colonial period.
IV. The influence of religious architecture and artwork during the Spanish colonial period
The influence of the Spanish colonial period is one of the important sources of religious architecture and artwork in South America, and during the Spanish colonial period, European art and religious culture entered South America, bringing new elements and inspiration to the religious architecture and artwork of South America.
The religious buildings and artworks of the Spanish colonial period made extensive use of European architectural and artistic elements, such as Gothic architecture, Renaissance art, etc., while also absorbing South American cultural and religious elements to form a unique artistic style.
Author's point of view
Religious architecture and artworks in South America are an important part of South American culture, but also one of the important representatives of South American culture, during the Spanish colonial period, South American religious buildings and artworks have been greatly developed and innovated, these buildings and artworks not only reflect South American culture and beliefs, but also reflect European culture and religious elements.
Bibliography:
[1] Hotz, L. S., and Freed, J, (2001), Art and Archaeology of the Spanish Colony vs. the Junta of Ríos, El Paso, TX: University of Texas Press
[2] Lyon Verlag (1974), Colonial Hispanic America: A History of a Documentary, Wilmington, Del: SR Books
[3] Pollack-Eltz, A, (1994), Painting and Narrative in 18th-Century Spain: Art and Social History, Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press
[4] Williams, E. (2017), A World with Their Own: Mexican Artists in the Twentieth Century, Austin: University of Texas Press
