In 18th century New Spain, autos-de-fé were publicly performed as a way to openly confront the sins of heretics and to announce their penance. Paintings of these events are among the rarest scenes ever depicted on both sides of the Atlantic. Paintings, such as Un Auto-de-fè en el Pueblo de San Bartolomé Otzolotepec ca.1716, emphasize the impressive display of power enacted by the Provisory of Natives through inquisition-like public events. However, they downplay the presence of the indigenous spectator-participant in lieu of the organizers and elite invitees. In terms of content, however, this painting represents a unique example of auto images since its subject matter centers around the judging of Natives. Furthermore, in this thesis, I examine autos-de-fé in New Spain by analyzing its performance through pictorial and written accounts as well as by studying the space in which autos took place. Besides providing a new interpretation of the event, this project aims to produce a deeper understanding of auto-de-fé images in general.

Auteur

Emmanuel Ortega is a phd student from the University of New Mexico. He is currently working on his dissertation regarding images of Franciscan martyrs in New Spain under the supervision of Ray Hernandez-Duran. He currently resides in Las Vegas Nevada and is a frequent lecturer in the University of Las Vegas Nevada.