Trifacial Trinity
Anonymous Cusco Schoolca. 1750 - ca. 1770
MALI, Museo de Arte de Lima
Lima, Peru
Through didactic compositions of this type, the Viceregal church sought to explain to the faithful the mystery of the Holy Trinity, so crucial to Christian doctrine. In this case, the image has medieval origins, transmitted through engravings. The Catholic dogma which affirms the existence of three different persons in a single God is expressed here as a face with four eyes, three noses and three mouths. This typology –known as a Trifacial Trinity- had been prohibited by the ecclesiastical authorities of Europe, but was readopted in America because it was considered an effective resource in the graphic embodiment of such a complex theological mystery. (RK)
- Title: Trifacial Trinity
- Creator: Anonymous Cusco School
- Creator Lifespan: 1750/1770
- Date Created: ca. 1750 - ca. 1770
- Physical Dimensions: w1240 x h1820 cm (Complete)
- Type: Oil on canvas
- Rights: Colección Museo de Arte de Lima. Donación Memoria Prado
- Título original: Trinidad trifacial
- Técnica: Óleo sobre tela
- Texto curatorial: Por medio de este tipo de composiciones didácticas, la iglesia virreinal buscaba explicar a los fieles el misterio de la Santísima Trinidad, crucial dentro de la doctrina cristina. En el presente caso, se trata de una imagen de orígenes medievales, trasmitidas a través de estampas grabadas. El dogma católico que afirma la existencia de tres personas distintas en un solo Dios, toma aquí la forma de un rostro con cuatro ojos, tres narices y tres bocas. Aquella tipología –denominada Trinidad trifacial- había sido prohibida por las autoridades eclesiásticas europeas, pero fue retomada en América porque era considerada como un recurso eficaz para plasmar gráficamente un misterio teológico tan complejo. (RK)
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