La vida cotidiana en el Virreinato del Perú por Paul Rizo-Patrón Boylan

Introduction to Daily Life in the Viceroyalty of Peru

Overview of the Conference

• Pol Risopatrón introduces himself as a professor at Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, discussing daily life in the Viceroyalty of Peru through art.

• The discussion begins with a historical context, tracing back to the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire by Francisco Pizarro in 1532.

Historical Context and Conquest

• The territories of Tahuantinsuyo (Inca Empire) included present-day Peru, Ecuador, parts of Colombia, Chile, Bolivia, and Argentina.

• A depiction from "Nueva crónica y buen gobierno" by Guamán Poma de Ayala illustrates Atahualpa's capture by Pizarro during his third expedition.

Impact of Disease and Civil War

• The introduction of European diseases like smallpox led to significant population decline among indigenous peoples throughout the 17th century.

• Pizarro executed Atahualpa after accusing him of fratricide; this act was justified as a means to quell civil strife between Atahualpa and his brother Huáscar.

Establishment of Lima and Governance

Founding Lima

• In 1535, Lima was founded as the capital for Spanish governance in a temperate valley along the central Peruvian coast.

• An image from late 17th-century prints depicts Lima’s establishment under Pizarro's leadership until his assassination in 1541 due to internal conflicts among conquistadors.

Formation of the Viceroyalty

• Following periods of disorder, the Viceroyalty of Peru was established due to New Laws enacted in 1542.

• This viceroyalty remained under Spanish control until independence movements culminated between 1821 and 1824.

Economic Structure and Society

Economic Foundations

• The economy was primarily extractive, relying on indigenous and enslaved African labor for mineral extraction and other resources.

Artistic Representations

• Although no contemporary portraits exist for Francisco Pizarro, later artistic representations emerged that idealized him alongside depictions from Inca history.

Legacy and Cultural Representation

Artistic Compositions

• Artworks depicted Incan rulers successively transitioning into Spanish monarchies without acknowledging radical changes or conflicts.

Historical Narratives Through Art

• A notable painting shows legendary Incan founders followed by successive rulers up to Felipe II; it reflects continuity despite colonial upheaval.

Destruction and Preservation

Losses Due to Rebellion

• Many paintings representing elite figures were destroyed post-rebellion (1780), fearing they would evoke memories of independence struggles.

Surviving Works

Loyola and the Jesuit Connection to Inca Heritage

The Role of Loyola and Juan de Borja

• Loyola and her husband, Juan de Borja, are depicted in the Church of the Company in Cusco. Their image was replicated multiple times to emphasize their familial ties to the Inca lineage, aiming to garner loyalty from indigenous and mestizo subjects.

Hierarchical Structure of Spanish Rule

• The Spanish monarchy established a vertical hierarchy with the distant monarch at the top, followed by ministers from the Council of Indies. The viceroy acted as a direct representative of the Spanish sovereign in the New World.

Portraiture of Viceroys

• Various portraits of viceroys exist, notably those displayed at the National Museum of History in Lima. Early depictions often featured dark tones and austere clothing; some notable works were created in the 17th or 18th centuries.

Artistic Evolution Over Time

• Portrait styles evolved during the 17th century, becoming more vibrant and ornate. Notable examples include equestrian portraits like that of Count Lemos, which reflect changing artistic trends influenced by European styles.

The Architectural Legacy of Lima

Construction Techniques and Materials

• The Count of La Monclova, known as "Virrey Brazo de Plata" due to his prosthetic arm made from silver, exemplifies how personal history intertwined with public roles. His prosthesis is preserved in Lima's cathedral.

Earthquake Resilience in Architecture

• The 18th-century architecture reflected French influences but maintained a degree of artistic simplicity. Structures like those built after earthquakes utilized flexible materials such as quincha (a mix of cane and mud).

Urban Development and Social Dynamics

Pizarro Palace: A Symbolic Structure

• The Pizarro Palace was constructed on land previously occupied by Taulichusco, an indigenous lord. Adobe was commonly used due to its suitability for Peru's dry coastal climate.

Public Spaces and Urban Layout

• Pizarro designed Lima with a grid layout featuring significant public spaces like Plaza Mayor. This design facilitated public ceremonies attended by viceroys and officials.

Defensive Measures Against Threats

City Walls: Protection Strategies

• Under Viceroy Duke de la Palata’s rule, defensive walls were erected around Lima to protect against potential uprisings or pirate attacks. These walls included ten gates for controlled access.

Population Growth Within Defensive Boundaries

History of Religious Influence in Colonial Lima

The Role of Churches in Colonial Society

• The city was characterized by numerous parish and conventual churches, with around 60 existing during the 17th to 19th centuries according to chroniclers and travelers.

• The governance by viceroys and authorities was justified through a religious lens, emphasizing evangelization for the salvation of indigenous souls who previously followed incomprehensible idolatries.

Architectural Highlights and Artistic Contributions

• Notable structures included the Church and Convent of San Francisco el Grande, showcasing Mudéjar influences in its decoration, reflecting religion's central role in daily life.

• Key figures like Santo Toribio Alfonso de Mogrovejo were instrumental in church activities that permeated all aspects of colonial life, including education at the University of San Marcos.

Artistic Developments Influenced by Religion

• Italian painters such as Bernardo Bitti contributed significantly to religious art, depicting scenes from Jesus' life and saints within local contexts.

• A prominent work by Bitti illustrates the coronation of the Virgin Mary; other artists like Mateo Pérez d'Alessio created pieces representing local devotion.

Canonization and Cultural Syncretism

• Angelino Medoro painted Isabel Flores de Oliva (Santa Rosa de Lima), whose canonization led to significant cultural artifacts being sent to Lima from Pope Clement X.

• The marble statue of Santa Rosa de Lima symbolizes her passion for Christ, crafted by Melchor Caffa under inspiration from Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

Ritual Practices and Artistic Expression

• Cities across Peru engaged deeply with liturgical calendars, particularly during processions like Semana Santa and Corpus Christi, especially notable in Cusco.

• Diego Quispe Tito’s artwork captures these processions featuring Inca elite dressed in traditional attire amidst religious celebrations.

Integration of Indigenous Elements into Religious Art

• Artistic production during this period combined doctrinal orthodoxy with elements from everyday Peruvian life; examples include depictions of the Last Supper incorporating Andean products like cuy and ají.

• Popular expressions of devotion emerged influenced by Counter-Reformation ideals; paintings depicted archangels blending biblical teachings with pre-Hispanic traditions.

Challenges Faced by Indigenous Populations

• Despite strict adherence to Christian doctrine, authorities often overlooked syncretic practices among indigenous peoples as a means to ease transitions into new faith systems.

The Role of Mining in Colonial Peru

Overview of Mineral Extraction

• The extraction of minerals positioned Peru as the primary silver supplier to Spain until at least the mid-17th century, illustrated by a 1601 engraving by Teodoro de Bree depicting mining activities in Peru.

Cerro Rico de Potosí

• Cerro Rico de Potosí, located in present-day Bolivia, became a significant mineral site with a population nearing 100,000 by the early 17th century. An engraving from this period highlights its importance.

Agricultural and Manufacturing Contributions

• Agriculture, livestock farming, and textile manufacturing were essential for urban supply and system functionality. These activities took place in haciendas and workshops known as obrajes.

Urban Development Financing

• The products generated not only funded royal taxes (quinto real) but also supported urban life in cities like Lima, Trujillo, Arequipa, and Cusco. Two images depict agricultural scenes and textile workshops from late 18th-century Trujillo.

Nobility and Social Hierarchy

Nobility's Influence in Lima

• In late 18th-century Lima (Ciudad de los Reyes), prominent nobles resided there. The Austrians granted titles gradually while the Bourbons were more generous throughout the century.

Wealth vs. Titles

• Noble titles often correlated with local wealth; notable examples include the Marquises of Torre Tagle and Counts of Monteblanco who owned significant properties and slaves.

Artistic Representations of Society

Portraiture of Nobility

• Contemporary photographs show the exterior of Torre Tagle Palace, now housing Peru's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Various portraits represent key figures such as Doña Mariana Agra de Lagunas and Don Agustín de Salazar y Muyatom.

Social Stratification

Racial Hierarchies

• Social stratification was influenced by European models alongside local dynamics involving criollos (Creoles), peninsulares (Spanish-born), indigenous peoples, and enslaved Africans.

Ethnic Mixtures

• The blending among these groups led to complex racial identities categorized based on perceived purity or proximity to dominant groups.

Racial Classifications in Art

Series of Paintings

• A series commissioned around 1770 depicted various racial mixtures resulting from unions between Spaniards/Indigenous people/Africans. This reflects an attempt to classify ethnic diversity within colonial society.

Cultural Depictions

Bucolic Scenes

• An idealized painting shows members of Lima's elite interacting with their servants along the Rímac River during the late 18th century, showcasing social dynamics through art.

Artistic Influences

Cultural Dynamics and Tensions in Colonial Peru

Ethnic and Cultural Interactions

• The images depict characters from the 1790s, highlighting a coexistence of diverse ethnic cultures that was often peaceful but also led to tensions, particularly regarding social positions reserved for Spaniards or Creoles.

• Indigenous caciques held a higher status than the general population due to their pre-Hispanic heritage but were still limited in their roles within colonial governance.

Rebellions Against Colonial Authority

• Some caciques chose rebellion against colonial authorities, with notable movements like the one led by José Gabriel Condorcanqui (Túpac Amaru II) in Cusco in 1780, which significantly impacted the virreinal system.

• Although Túpac Amaru's rebellion was suppressed by 1781, its aftermath contributed to weakening the virreinal structure.

Influence of Enlightenment Ideas

• Enlightenment ideas discussed at San Marcos University influenced elite Criollo members like José Baquíjano y Carrillo, who sought reform without completely dismantling the existing system.

• The Napoleonic invasion of Spain further destabilized colonial authority and fueled separatist sentiments across various territories including Chile and New Granada.

Loyalty and Resistance in Peru

• Despite growing separatism elsewhere, Peru remained loyal longer than its neighbors; this loyalty is attributed to perceived indolence among Lima's upper classes and efforts by Viceroy José Fernando de Abascal.

• Abascal's tenure saw suppression of rebellions until his departure in 1816 marked an increase in vulnerability for the virreinal system.

Post-Independence Conflicts

• Following independence movements led by figures like José de San Martín, confusion reigned as various military leaders vied for power; stability wasn't achieved until around the 1840s.

• Throughout much of the 19th century, remnants of colonial hierarchy persisted alongside evolving racial dynamics influenced by proximity between different social strata.

Cultural Expressions and Social Life

• Johann Moritz Rugendas' watercolor from the early 1840s illustrates Lima's social diversity during daily life, showcasing customs such as women wearing veils known as "tapadas limeñas."

Cultural Heritage and Music in Colonial Peru

Influence of Spanish Culture in Andahuaylas

• The video showcases the church and village of Andahuaylas, highlighting the strong Spanish influence on local customs that have remained unchanged for over 300 years.

• Cultural integration is illustrated through dancers dressed as Afro-descendants, wearing corresponding masks, reflecting a blend of traditions.

Musical Heritage from the Colonial Era

• Background music features "Hanacpachap Cusikuy," a Baroque hymn composed in Quechua by Juan Pérez de Bocanegra for the Andahuaylas church, published in Lima in 1631.

• The term "Hanacpachap" refers to the Inca gods' heaven, symbolizing religious syncretism encouraged by colonial authorities.

Notable Composers and Works

• The first American opera, "La Púrpura de la Rosa," was composed by Tomás de Torrejón y Velasco in 1701 to celebrate King Felipe V's accession to the Spanish throne.

• Composer José de Orejón y Aparicio emerged mid-18th century; his works include various high-quality villancicos and cantatas influenced by late Italian Baroque music.

Overview of Public and Private Life During Colonial Times