Sacred art works that you should see in CDMX

What sacred art works in CDMX should you see? We tell you which ones they are and where to see them.
Sacred art in Mexico had an enormous development, especially during the colonial era. These portraits show us biblical scenes, or stories that the church later adopted as real. There are dozens of pieces in museums and temples in the city, and even in a virtual gallery. We tell you which ones stand out and where to see them.
Sacred art works in CDMX
The appearance of the Virgin and Child to Saint Francis, José Juárez

Photo: Courtesy of the Secretary of Culture

This painting portrays an important moment of Christianity. In it we can see Saint Francis surrounded by angels and admiring the Virgin with devotion. We found it at the MUNAL, it is 2.86 meters long by 2.64 meters wide. Without a doubt, one of the most important pieces of New Spain sacred art and well worth seeing in person.
The Assumption of the Virgin, Juan Correa

Photo: Courtesy of the Secretary of Culture

If you have visited the Metropolitan Cathedral, it is very likely that you have already seen this painting. It is an oil on canvas that precisely portrays the assumption of Mary into heaven. Here we see Jesus and God himself welcoming her, as well as many angels playing instruments and watching her. We also see, from below, mortals, amazed by the event. If you do not know it, or have been to the cathedral and have not seen it, you have to stop by to visit it because it is impressive in size and detail.
The Burial of Christ, Baltasar de Echave y Rioja

Photo: Courtesy of Wikipedia

Unlike many other works of sacred art, this one has more of a theatrical sense. The emotions come out of the painting, and of course, it is no wonder. We are talking about the burial of Jesus Christ. His apostles take him down from the cross and prepare him for burial in the stone tomb. We also see Mary Magdalene lamenting his death. The work with light and shadow is magnificent, one of the most interesting works by Baltasar de Echave y Rioja. We can currently find it at the MUNAL.

Betrayal of Judas, Anonymous

And in Xochimilco, in the Parish of Our Lady of Sorrows in Xaltocan, we find this hidden gem whose author is unknown. It is an oil on canvas in which we see the portrayal of Judas' betrayal of Jesus Christ. It is known that it was painted around 1765, and its expressiveness is very interesting. We see a soldier falling and Jesus surrounded by his disciples. Without a doubt a very interesting work.
Blessing of the Table, José de Alcíbar

Photo: Courtesy of Google Arts and Culture

Without a doubt the MUNAL took this list, and it has many beautiful sacred art paintings of great importance in our history. And one that we cannot fail to mention is the Blessing of the Table. Here José Alcíbar shows Jesus in the center of the table, with Mary and Joseph at his sides. It is a triangular composition like that of the Holy Family, the angels frame the painting bowing. In addition, the painter achieves a kind of slanted composition, further increasing the triangle formed by the protagonists of the painting. You cannot miss it.
New Spanish Painting – Blaistein Collection

Photo: Courtesy of the Blaistein Collection

This is not a work as such, there are dozens of them, and we had to mention it. It is a collection of paintings and a virtual museum: the Blaistein Collection, whose objective is to spread Mexican art from the Andrés Blaisten Collection, both for specialists and for the general public. Specifically, the New Spanish Painting room has a large and very interesting collection of sacred art. From works such as the Assumption and Coronation of the Virgin Mary; and the Virgin of Guadalupe by Sebastián Zalcedo. It's free, and you can enter to see dozens of paintings from many periods, styles and artists. You can visit it here.

The Lord of the Column and Saint Peter, Anonymous.

We found this work in the El Carmen Museum. It depicts a scourged Jesus Christ, and his gaze seems to be directed at the viewer of the painting. If the anguish this produces were not enough, we see Peter on his knees looking up at him. The authorship is attributed to Baltasar Echave Orio, but they are not entirely sure yet. A truly outstanding work of Mexican sacred art.
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