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Le the Museum of Americas - Auch offers its visitors to take a ticket for a time and space travel, and reveals to them the treasures of the 2nd largest collection of pre-Columbian and Latin American sacred art in France.
The Mass of Saint-Gregory
feathers on wood 68 x 56 cm, made in 1539 in Mexico.
Symbol of the work carried out by the Franciscans for the assimilation of peoples, the Mass of Saint Gregory is one of the oldest and most beautiful testimonies of theemergence of a new civilization born from the mixing of two cultures and two very different worlds.
The scene represents Pope Gregory I. The choice of this iconography responds to educational motivations since this scene appears as a true analysis of the paschal mystery where all the instruments of the Passion are treated in the manner of a rebus.
It is quite possible that this painting was made to be offered to Pope Paul III, mentioned in the inscription, in thanks for the Bull “Sublimis Deus” of June 9, 1537 which recognizes a soul in the Indians, therefore therefore authorizes their baptism and thus avoids slavery.
If the aesthetics of this work refer to Western art, certain elements testify to local contributions such as the patterns of the chasubles inspired by Aztec hearts or the presence of pineapples in place of the perfume vases of the Holy Women.
The art of plumasserie
The use of feathers played a major role in the societies of the Andes and Mesoamerica. The plumasserie is associated with the gods, with founding myths such as the myth of Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent. The wearing of feathers, their use and their trade are very codified. They were very valuable, much more than gold.
Between old and new world
The first evangelizers will use the strong symbol of the plumasserie, an Aztec specialty called amanteca, for the benefit of the Christian message.
From the start of the conquest of the Aztec Empire, Hernan Cortez wanted to surround himself with Franciscan missionaries. In August 1523, the first three monks arrived from Flanders. Among them, Pierre de Gand who is at the origin of the creation of a real art school.
More than a school, this place becomes a conservatory of indigenous traditions where Aztec artists can transmit their knowledge to the Friars Minor, such as the technique of plumasserie, while serving the new religion.
Due to its exceptional collections, the Musée des Amériques – Auch has received the label “ National reference center In pre-Columbian art and Latin American sacred art.
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Website : Museum of the Americas - Auch
Pricing: Full price: € 6 / Reduced price: € 3 / Free for children under 18
Address: 9 rue Gilbert Brégail - 32000 Auch
Phone: +05 (62)05 74 79 XNUMX XNUMX
