Spanish Colonial Cuzco Painting of Archangel Michael

This is a very good Spanish Colonial, Cuzco School (Cuzqueno) painting of the Archangel Michael. The painting appears to have little or no restorations and, as such, is in remarkable condition. We have chosen to leave that painting as found as the patina highlights the depth and character of the painting. We have listed separately two complementary larger paintings of the Virgin Mary and the Archangel Michael acquired from the same estate. The Cuzco school is a Peruvian Spanish Colonial religious artistic tradition in which Incan spirituality was incorporated into Catholic iconography. These Peruvian paintings incorporate artistic forms that distinguish Cuzqueno paintings from other Spanish Colonial artistic traditions. The Jesuit order, arriving in the mid-16th century, was the principal Catholic order whose mission it was to convert the Inca to Christianity and introduce Christian iconography and European type painting techniques to the Inca capital of Cuzco. Cuzco School paintings are marked by their baroque-influenced imagery, small hands and feet, detailed lace clothing, floral patterns and angels. Additionally, the subjects of the paintings were (and still are) highlighted by light reflected on the painting.