Church interior

An example of how Teófilo Castillo elected to explore Peru's past is the work “Church interior”. Here, we are not presented with a specific event, but rather a generic depiction of colonial life. To this end, the artist employs elements taken from actual buildings, such as the wooden railings enclosing the chapel, possibly inspired by Lima’s cathedral.
The figures are shown wearing clothing dating from different historical periods. In this way, Castillo seeks to imbue the colonial period with a timeless and mythical character. Through the anachronisms present in this painting, he was able to create an imagery with which the public could easily identify. This, together with the patriotic themes he chose to depict, contributed to the popularity of his work.