The Ministry of Culture acquires nine Novohispanic enconchados for the Museum of America
The Ministry of Culture and Sport has allocated 2.2 million euros to purchase nine 17th-century paintings made using the enconchado technique. This operation constitutes the most significant economic acquisition executed by the ministry in 2025. The pieces, from a private collection, will be added to the holdings of the Museum of America in Madrid, which houses the most significant public collection of this art. 🖼️
A technique that fuses two worlds
The enconchado technique was developed in the Viceroyalty of New Spain, present-day Mexico, between the 17th and 18th centuries. This method fuses European oil painting with pre-Columbian craftsmanship, using fragments of mother-of-pearl shell to accentuate details and provide luminosity. The nine acquired canvases illustrate passages from the life of the Virgin Mary and Christ, and are preserved in an optimal state that evidences the skill of the workshops that produced them.
Key details of the acquisition:- Total investment of 2.2 million euros.
- Nine 17th-century works of Novohispanic origin.
- Final destination: the holdings of the Museum of America in Madrid.
These pieces are fundamental to understanding the cultural exchange between Spain and America.
Strengthening public heritage
With this purchase, the Museum of America consolidates its position as a reference in colonial art. The investment ensures that this unique ensemble remains in Spain, available to researchers and the general public. Before exhibiting them, the works will undergo a necessary period of analysis and restoration.
Next steps for the works:- Study and restoration phase by the museum.
- Subsequent integration into the permanent exhibition.
- Availability for research and public visitation.
A legacy that shines on its own
This acquisition not only enriches the national heritage but also protects a singular artistic legacy. The peculiar luminosity of the mother-of-pearl in these works offers a unique visual experience, although it also poses the common challenge in museums of lighting them correctly to avoid the use of flashes. The Museum of America is preparing to showcase this brilliant chapter in art history. ✨