Wealthy clerics. A chapter in the Neo-Granadian artistic patronage in the XVIIth Century

Abstract

During the seventeenth century the diocesan clergy of the New Kingdom of Granada distinguished himself by sponsoring artistic works. His intentions had to do with the indoctrination of the indigenous population, the decoration of the temples and the promotion of particular devotions. We met with doctrinary clergymen striving to eradicate idolatry, rebuild the churches of the Indian villages, endow them with ornament, etc. In the cities, the social prestige of many parish priests would be underlined by the donation of sculptures, paintings, altarpieces, silver works, to their parishes. Some ecclesiastics of high social and economic standing promoted the construction of sanctuaries such as Monserrate, Las Aguas, Huída a Egipto, La Peña, etc. All this is a good example of counterreformist religious strategies, and the use of art in the service of religious promotion.