Peruvian school of the XVIII century.

Peruvian school of the XVIII century.
"The death of St. Joseph".
Oil on panel.
Measurements: 35 x 48.5 cm, 44 x 57 cm (frame).

We see in this canvas a biblical theme captured as a contemporary costumbrista scene, in an interior defined by the neutral ground, plunged into darkness in the background, following the formula of the naturalistic baroque. The bed, center of the composition, is depicted with detail and realism, and on it we see a dying Saint Joseph. On both sides of the headboard Christ and Mary are seated, and on each side we see two praying angels. Christ takes the hand of the dying man, while the Virgin contemplates him, showing great pain in her face. This is an unusual formula for the representation of the Holy Family, although the leading role of St. Joseph is typical of Spanish Counter-Reformation art.

Following stylistic and compositional patterns of the Novo-Hispanic Baroque, the author of this painting has represented a devotional image, during the Spanish colonial domination, a mainly religious painting was developed in the Peruvian Viceroyalty, aimed at Christianizing the indigenous peoples. The local painters were modeled on Spanish works, which they followed literally in terms of types and iconography. The most frequent models were the harquebusier angels and the triangular virgins like the one shown here.