Marcos Zapata facts for kids
Marcos Zapata (around 1710–1773) was a famous painter from Peru. He was born in a city called Cuzco. Sometimes, people also called him Marcos Sapaca Inca. He was one of the last artists who belonged to the Cuzco School. This was a special art group where Spanish painters taught local students how to create religious artworks.
Marcos Zapata was unique because he added parts of his own culture and land into his paintings. For example, in his painting of the Last Supper from 1753, Jesus and his friends are shown eating guinea pig and drinking chicha. These are foods and drinks common in Peru!
His Amazing Artworks
Marcos Zapata was a very busy artist. Between 1748 and 1764, he painted at least 200 different artworks. That's a lot of paintings!
Some of his most famous works include:
- 24 paintings about the life of Saint Francis of Assisi. He made these for a group of monks in Santiago, Chile.
- 50 large linen cloths with special religious prayers for the Cathedral of Santo Domingo, Cusco.
He often used bright red and blue colors in his art.
His Unique Style
Marcos Zapata's special painting style became very popular between 1748 and 1773. He was well-known for his beautiful pictures of the Virgin Mary. She was almost always surrounded by cute little cherubim (angel-like figures).
Zapata's paintings often told stories or taught lessons. They made complex religious ideas easier to understand for everyone. He was inspired by other artists' prints, which are like early versions of printed pictures.
Spreading His Influence
Marcos Zapata also worked for a religious group called the Jesuits. He created another series of paintings with the help of his student, Cipriano Gutiérrez. One of these was a painting of the Virgin Mary on a throne, which he finished in 1764 for a church in Almudena.
His grand paintings were very popular. Many copies and versions of his art were made and shared across the region. Marcos Zapata's fame grew far beyond Cuzco. His art influenced people all over Peru, Chile, and even northern Argentina. Other artists, like Antonio Vilca and Ignacio Chacón, continued his style in the years that followed.
Images for kids
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Learn more about Marcos Zapata in Spanish!
