Francisco Tito Yupanqui facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Francisco Tito Yupanqui
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Statue of Tito Yupanqui in Copacabana
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| Born | 1550 |
| Died | 1616 (65-66) |
| Occupation | Sculptor |
| Known for | Sculpture, wood-carving, Marian images |
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Notable work
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Virgen de Copacabana (1583) |
Francisco Tito Yupanqui (1550–1616) was a talented sculptor from what is now Bolivia. He was an indigenous artist who lived during the time of the Viceroyalty of Peru. He is famous for creating beautiful wood statues, especially those of the Blessed Virgin Mary. His most well-known work is the statue of Our Lady of Candles, also called Our Lady of Copacabana. This important statue is found near Lake Titicaca in Bolivia.
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About Francisco Tito Yupanqui
Yupanqui was born in Copacabana. His parents were Tola and Francisco Tito Yupanqui Sr. His family belonged to the Anansayas. These were descendants of the Quechua people who had moved to Copacabana with the Inca.
His family had recently become Roman Catholic through the help of Dominican priests. However, like many people at that time, they also kept some of their traditional Aymara religious beliefs.
Creating Our Lady of Copacabana
Yupanqui learned a lot about religion from the Dominican priests. He also started to admire European religious art. Legend says that a beautiful woman holding a child appeared to him in a dream. She asked him to create a special image. This image later became known as Nuestra Senora de Virgen de la Candelaria, or Our Virgin Lady of the Candles.
Father Antonio Montoro was the local priest at the time. He wanted the statue of the Virgin Mary to look like European people. But Yupanqui felt strongly that the statue should look like the native people of Bolivia. He made sure the statue's face reflected the local people.
Other Artworks
Later in his life, Yupanqui made three copies of his famous statue of the Virgin Mary. He sent these copies to different places. One statue is in Cocharcas, Peru. Another is in Pucarani, Bolivia. The third copy was sent to Tucumán in northern Argentina. The sculpture called Our Lady of Cocharcas is also believed to be his work.
His Legacy and Recognition
Francisco Tito Yupanqui passed away in 1616. He died in a monastery in Cusco, Bolivia.
His famous statue was given a special honor. On August 1, 1925, it was crowned the Queen of Bolivia. This happened during the country's 100th anniversary celebration. The President of Bolivia, Bautista Saavedra, and other important religious leaders were there. They held a special ceremony and a High Mass. Pope Pius XI also sent a special representative.
In 2011, the Roman Catholic Bishops' Conference of Bolivia asked the Holy See (the Pope's office) to make Yupanqui a saint. They asked for him to be recognized as the first saint from Bolivia.
See also
In Spanish: Francisco Tito Yupanqui para niños
