Master of Calamarca
Encyclopedia
Master of Calamarca was a Bolivia
n artist who created two series of angel
s painted on the walls of a catholic church in Calamarca, Bolivia (La Paz
district). His works were stylistically close to earlier master Leonardo Flores from La Paz (fl. last quarter of 17th century).
Calamarca church contains two sets of angels, most likely created by the same person. The first contains militant Ángel arcabucero
s wielding firearms, with each angel's name written clearly at the bottom; the paintings of Calamarca church are the most renowned, definitive examples of Ángel arcabucero type and Bolivian angel types in general. The second set depicts androgynous angels wearing billowing capes, elaborate short European-style female dresses and Roman military boots. They are unsigned, but each is carrying an object uniquely identifying the subject as one of Archangels of Palermo. According to a tradition stemming from medieval Palermo
, these were seven archangel
s, venerated in Spain
, although only three were recognized by the Church.
Exact identity of the artist is unknown; Donahue-Watson identified him as, probably, Jose Lopez de los Rios, and dated his works 1660–1680s, while Rishel and Stratton date the works of the unknown Master as first half of 18th century.
Bolivia
Bolivia officially known as Plurinational State of Bolivia , is a landlocked country in central South America. It is the poorest country in South America...
n artist who created two series of angel
Angel
Angels are mythical beings often depicted as messengers of God in the Hebrew and Christian Bibles along with the Quran. The English word angel is derived from the Greek ἄγγελος, a translation of in the Hebrew Bible ; a similar term, ملائكة , is used in the Qur'an...
s painted on the walls of a catholic church in Calamarca, Bolivia (La Paz
La Paz
Nuestra Señora de La Paz is the administrative capital of Bolivia, as well as the departmental capital of the La Paz Department, and the second largest city in the country after Santa Cruz de la Sierra...
district). His works were stylistically close to earlier master Leonardo Flores from La Paz (fl. last quarter of 17th century).
Calamarca church contains two sets of angels, most likely created by the same person. The first contains militant Ángel arcabucero
Ángel arcabucero
An ángel arcabucero is an angel depicted with an arquebus instead of the traditional sword, dressed in clothing inspired by that of Spanish aristocrats...
s wielding firearms, with each angel's name written clearly at the bottom; the paintings of Calamarca church are the most renowned, definitive examples of Ángel arcabucero type and Bolivian angel types in general. The second set depicts androgynous angels wearing billowing capes, elaborate short European-style female dresses and Roman military boots. They are unsigned, but each is carrying an object uniquely identifying the subject as one of Archangels of Palermo. According to a tradition stemming from medieval Palermo
Palermo
Palermo is a city in Southern Italy, the capital of both the autonomous region of Sicily and the Province of Palermo. The city is noted for its history, culture, architecture and gastronomy, playing an important role throughout much of its existence; it is over 2,700 years old...
, these were seven archangel
Archangel
An archangel is an angel of high rank. Archangels are found in a number of religious traditions, including Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Michael and Gabriel are recognized as archangels in Judaism and by most Christians. Michael is the only archangel specifically named in the Protestant Bible...
s, venerated in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, although only three were recognized by the Church.
Exact identity of the artist is unknown; Donahue-Watson identified him as, probably, Jose Lopez de los Rios, and dated his works 1660–1680s, while Rishel and Stratton date the works of the unknown Master as first half of 18th century.