By Colonial Museum
Painting attributed to Joaquín Gutiérrez
Defense of Doctoral Thesis at the Xaverian University by Antonio Moreno y Escandón. (1752) by Joaquín GutiérrezColonial Museum
When the first universities were founded in Europe during the 12th century, the idea of depicting thesis defenses of those who studied there emerged. An iconographic formula was developed to commemorate and recognize the merits of the graduates.
This portrait was painted when Francisco Antonio Moreno y Escandón earned his degree in Theology, Canon Law, and Civil Law from the Javeriana University in 1754. Following his dissertation defense, the graduate commissioned this work from the painter Joaquín Gutiérrez.
Defense of Doctoral Thesis at the Xaverian University by Antonio Moreno y Escandón. (1752) by Joaquín GutiérrezColonial Museum
In it, Moreno y Escandón is depicted wearing a black toga and a red stole, a color that indicates that he belonged to Javeriana University.
In front of the graduate and at the center of the artwork, we see a cartouche that briefly describes his thesis.
Defense of Doctoral Thesis at the Xaverian University by Antonio Moreno y Escandón. (1752) by Joaquín GutiérrezColonial Museum
In these types of images, the devotions of the student, whether a saint or doctor of the Church, are related. Here we see Saint Teresa of Ávila in the upper part of the painting.
The 16th century Spanish mystic, theologian, and commentator on moral texts, is considered here a model for Moreno’s defense, illuminating him in her theological dissertations. For this reason, she is depicted with a pen in hand, in front of an open book.
Defense of Doctoral Thesis at the Xaverian University by Antonio Moreno y Escandón. (1752) by Joaquín GutiérrezColonial Museum
A flame sprouts from Teresa’s chest, referencing one of the saint ecstasies, during which an angel descended from heaven and pierced her heart with an arrow aflame with divine fire.
Alongside earning his degree, Moreno y Escandón held important positions in the Royal Court of Santafé including notary, lawyer, and prosecutor.
Defense of Doctoral Thesis at the Xaverian University by Antonio Moreno y Escandón. (1752) by Joaquín GutiérrezColonial Museum
He also served as prosecutor of the Court of Lima, and regent of the Court of Santiago de Chile, where he died at the end of the 18th century.
Today, Moreno y Escandón is remembered for implementing the Pragmatic Sanction of 1767 in New Granada, which established the expulsion of the Jesuits from Spanish territories. Following this, an educational reform based on scientific knowledge rather than theology was promoted.
Defense of Doctoral Thesis at the Javeriana University by Don Antonio Moreno y Escandón
Painting attributed to Joaquín Gutiérrez
Oil on canvas
82 x 70 cm
1759
Créditos
MUSEOS COLONIAL Y SANTA CLARA
Dirección / Museum Director
María Constanza Toquica Clavijo
Curaduría / Curation
Anamaría Torres Rodríguez
María Isabel Téllez Colmenares
Administración de colecciones / Collection Management
Paula Ximena Guzmán López
Editorial / Editorial
Tanit Barragán Montilla
Divulgación y prensa / Communications
Jhonatan Chinchilla Pérez
You are all set!
Your first Culture Weekly will arrive this week.