Ayacuchano altarpiece

The ayacuchano altarpiece is one of the expressions of art more recognized and an example of the high level of masters that the craftsmen of Ayacucho in Peru have reached.

Origin of the term

The term derives from Latin retabulus or retrotabule (what it goes behind the table). An altarpiece, is originally a assembly of major dimensions located behind the altars of the churches.

History

The Spanish tradition to have portable altars and births, also known as “belenes” were very well welcomed in the Andean world. These boxes contained saints and other sagradas efigies and were used to take care of the houses and to the travellers who took consí to them. The antecedent nearest the present altarpiece is the Drawer of San Marcos, landlord of the cattle. Until now, the sanmarkos are used to preside over the ritual of herranza, or celebration of Santiago, and to summon the spirits who live in mountains. But the altarpiece continued maneuvering. In the decade of 1940, imagineros ayacuchanos and Limean intellectuals of the indigenista current impelled appearing again of this art. The Andean popular artist takes care of itself to transmit his techniques and secrets, restricting the transmission of them to his descendants and a few disciples, who must remain years within the factory to be able to dominate all the techniques totally. The altarpiece takes much work and one of the basic aspects is the one of the preparation of grazes for the molding of the figures.

Structure

The altarpieces are rectangular boxes, perpendicularly done of cedar. Although there are no standard gauges, the classic altarpieces measure 32 centimeters of stop and 26 centimeters in width. At heart figures of about 6 centimeters are invested. The later part is covered generally with a thin wood and the doors are united to the box with leather strips. They exhibit holy pregnant virgins and of long neck. Also patriotic manifestations as military parades or are dedicated to personages, presidents or generals, farmers, heroes, etc. imagine.

Materials

The figures make with grazes done on a base of mixed Pope boiled and ground with plaster. The structure usually is of wood.

It is also seen

• Art of Peru
• Ayacucho
• Christmas