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"CRISTO DE LOS ANDES" - "CHRIST OF THE ANDES"

 Hi, dear readers!

In this occasion, we are going to a famous church in Quito downtown, which is “La Compañía de Jesús in Garcia Moreno street, did you remember the Cornejo-Cevallos House’s legend?

Well, this church is in front of that place. So, let’s continue reading!

Many years ago, Manuel Chili was the little famous indigenous, who worked at “La Compañía de Jesús” church, and suddenly he became an excellent artist. 

The Jesuits decided to take him in charge, gave him food and a little money for his work because they did not have the recognition of true artists. Furthermore, they also offered him special training in art, sculpture and painting. Manuel was recognized with a pseudonym that in Kichwa it means “wooden face”, thus was born the great Caspicara!

The priests could not believe that Manuel had been recognized as that great artist. Manuel worked twelve hours a day on scaffolding and dangerous edges. This created a strange phobia of heights. They say that because of this phobia he remained silent for long periods with his eyes closed. His fame spread and his works to price in great gold weights.

Unfortunately, Manuel Chili was died in the greatest poverty and abandoned in a hospice. However, the churches of our country, as well as those of Colombia, Peru, Venezuela and Spain, enjoyed the majesty of their Christs, Marys and child gods’ sculptures.


His famous work was an awesome Christ's sculpture and because of his ethnicity the original name "Christ of the Andes".

Hope you enjoy this legend!


Have you ever been in “La Compañía de Jesús” church?

Did you know the author’s name behind the great paintings of “La Compañía” church?

Comentarios

  1. Emily21 de julio de 2021, 17:39

    I liked your post, It was interesting. I knew about Legarda's works him and his contribution to the Quito School of Art. However, I heard a little information about Caspicara and his paintings. I like so much about the colonial era in Quito and how our indigenous were able to do magnificent paintings, sculptures, and even built great churches. Thanks for sharing this information with us.

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