Death Portrait of Don Thomas María Joachín Villaseñor y Gómez
- unknown artist
Unknown artist, Death Portrait of Don Thomas María Joachín Villaseñor y Gómez, 1760. Oil paint on canvas; 52¼ × 74½ × 3¼ in. Gift of the Collection of Frederick and Jan Mayer, 2013.316.
Late in the Spanish colonial period in Mexico, funerary portraiture became increasingly common, such as this example. Although an established tradition in Europe, death portraiture became more prevalent in Spanish America, particularly for children, who were often depicted as members of the clergy, as seen here, or as archangels. Since church doctrine stipulated that baptized children who died before developing full intellectual capacity were innocent of sin, they were immediately and unconditionally admitted into heaven. As a result, were referred to as "angelitos." With the advent of photography in the mid-nineteenth century, the tradition transitioned from oil on canvas to photographic portraits.
According to the inscription, little Don Thomas was not yet six years old when he died in Guadalajara, Mexico in 1760. He is depicted dressed in the habit of a Jesuit and holds a Jesuit biretta in his left hand, indicating both the family’s association with that order and that he probably was already dedicated by the family for the priesthood, as was common, particularly with second sons. Reminiscent of crowned nun portraits of the same era, he wears a flowered crown, in this case made of marigolds, a flower associated with death since ancient times in Mexico and still used today in Day of the Dead ceremonies. The headboard of his bed or bier is decorated with mirrors in a fan design, imitating a halo, but also common on headboards and other furniture of the 18th century.
--Donna Pierce, 2013
- Exhibited "Patronato, Painting from Baroque Mexico: Selected Works from the Collection of Frederick and Jan Mayer," 2005, Tucson Museum of Art, Tucson, AZ
- "Collecting a New World: Spanish Colonial Art from the Jan and Frederick R. Mayer Collection," Apr 2-May 14, 2005, Lamont Gallery, Phillips Exeter Academy
- "Heaven and Earth: The Jan and Frederick Mayer Collection of Spanish Colonial Art from the Denver Art Museum, Jun 16-Oct 8, 2006, Museo de las Americas, Denver
- "From Viceregal to Verancular: Painting in Colonial Mexico and New Mexico," Nov 17, 2006-Apr 29, 2007, Museum of Spanish Colonial Art, Santa Fe.