Holy Corn. Interdisciplinary Study of a Mexican 16th-Century Polychrome Maize Stem, Paper, and Colorín Wood Sculpture

Abstract

Maize stem sculptures, produced during the 16th and 17th centuries in New Spain (today, Mexico) are a clear example of the convergence of the artistic traditions from the American indigenous populations and European influence. This typology of sculptures is not limited to the Americas, as the examples found in European countries have shown. Therefore, a detailed technological investigation is required to correctly classify them. This work presents the interdisciplinary and multianalytical investigation of a 16th-century sculpture made with a maize stem preserved in Guadalajara city, Mexico. We used a set of techniques, such as CT, SEM-EDX, μ-FTIR, and μ-Raman, to study, from a macro to a micro level, the structure, the polychromy, and the modification of the sculpture. The results showed the use of maize stems, paper, and wood in the construction of the sculpture and the use of the traditional polychromy, as well as the numerous modifications that changed its appearance considerably resulting in its misclassification. We were able to associate the statue with the Cortés workshop (Mexico City region), probably produced in the decade of 1580, and track its liturgical use and historical development through the centuries.

Colour Analysis: An Introduction to the Power of Studying Pigments and Dyes in Archaeological and Historical Objects

“…Sixteenth-century artist materials are also the topic of Balbas et al's contribution [3]. The study brings the reader to Mexico, and focuses on a polychrome maize stem sculpture.…”

Analysis of a wooden statue by non‐destructive X‐ray techniques

“…Such information helps in the decision-making process regarding the conservation/restoration process. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] A sculpture is an artistic representation that illustrates images in full or partial relief, expressing the figure in three real dimensions. They can be made of different types of materials and present different types of surface chromatic layers.…”

“…Their combined analysis produces important information regarding the art object's historical period, authenticity, and previous interventions carried out. Such information helps in the decision‐making process regarding the conservation/restoration process 1–10 …”