Santos in Oaxaca, Mexico

In Mexican culture "santos" are statues of saints. The 16th-century churches of Oaxaca are particularly rich in ancient polychrome and other santos.

Santos in the Church of San Miguel Achiutla

At San Miguel Achiutla Sr. Bartolo Raimundo Bautista provided the identifications and cultural background for the santos exhibited in this section of the gallery.

• 
  Three santos of the Virgin Mary on a side altar
• 
  San Miguel/St. Michael
• 
  Dominican saint atop the pulpit cupola
• 
  San Juan Bautista/St. John the Baptist
• 
  San José/Saint Joseph
• 
  San Miguel/St. Michael the Archangel
• 
  San Miguel/St. Michael the Archangel
• 
  San Miguel/St. Michael the Archangel
• 
  San Pedro Mártir/St. Peter Martyr/St. Peter of Verona
• 
  Resurrected Christ
• 
  Santa Rosa de Lima/St. Rose of Lima
• 
  San Sebastian/St. Sebastian
• 
  Small crucifix on an altar
• 
  Nuestra Señora de la Soledad
• 
  Christ in the Purple Cloak
• 
  Unidentified saint
• 
  La Virgen del Rosario/Our Lady of the Rosary
• 
  Virgin in White
• 
  Christ carrying the cross
• 
  Christ at the pillar

Santos in the Church of Santa Ana del Valle

Informants for this church were the Presidente del Comité, Presidente Martiniano Hoton García-Martinez, and the Topil, Sr. Arcadio Aquino Cruz.

• 
  Santa Ana/St. Anne holding the child Mary
• 
  Santa Ana/St. Anne
• 
  La Candelaria/Our Lady of Candlemas
• 
  El Señor de la Misericordia/Crucifix
• 
  Palm Sunday Christ (Palmesel, Entry into Jerusalem)
• 
  La Madre de los Dolores/Our Lady of Sorrows
• 
  El Santo Nazareño/Christ in the Purple Cloak
• 
  Holy Family
• 
  Detail: the Mary statue in the Holy Family group
• 
  San José/St. Joseph
• 
  San Pedro Mártir/St. Peter Martyr (Peter of Verona)
• 
  Resurrected Christ
• 
  St. Anne with the Virgin Mary and Christ Child
• 
  Crucifix
• 
  Crucifix
• 
  Nuestra Señora de la Soledad
• 
  Trinity (Throne of Mercy)

Santos in the Church of San Juan Bautista, Coixtlahuaca

• 
  Christ Child
• 
  San Antonio de Padua/Saint Anthony of Padua
• 
  Three santos on the main altar (see file for identifications)
• 
  La Virgen de la Asunción/Our Lady of the Assumption and San Pedro/St. Peter
• 
  Unidentified Dominican Saint
• 
  San Isidro Labrador/St. Isidore the Laborer
• 
  Unidentified saint, possibly St. Lucy or St. Cecilia or St. Barbara
• 
  La Madre de los Dolores/Our Lady of Sorrows
• 
  San Pedro Mártir/St. Peter Martyr/St. Peter of Verona
• 
  St. Martin de Porres
• 
  Virgin Mary in a glass case
• 
  Saint in Yellow (probably St. Mary Magdalene)
• 
  Our Lady of Sorrows
• 
  Unidentified saint
• 
  Unidentified saint
• 
  Unidentified saint
• 
  La Virgen del Rosario/Our Lady of the Rosary
• 
  Virgin and Child
• 
  Virgin and Child
• 
  Christ child
• 
  Christ at the column
• 
  Christ fallen beneath the cross

Santos in the Church of Santiago in Cuilapan

To provide identifying information and other details the pastor delegated a young parishioner named Miguel Ángel (he did not give his family name).

• 
  Nuestra Señora del Carmen/Our Lady of Mount Carmel
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  Corazón de Maria/Immaculate Heart of Mary
• 
  Unidentified Dominican martyr (probably St. Peter Martyr)
• 
  San José/St. Joseph with the Christ Child
• 
  La Madre de los Dolores/Our Lady of Sorrows
• 
  La Madre de los Dolores/Our Lady of Sorrows
• 
  Santiago Matamoros/St. James the Moorslayer, on an andas
• 
  Santiago Matamoros/St. James the Moorslayer, close-up
• 
  San Miguel Ángel/St. Michael the Archangel
• 
  Palm Sunday Christ
• 
  Resurrected Christ
• 
  Resurrected Christ: Detail
• 
  El Sagrado Corazón/Sacred Heart of Jesus
• 
  El Santo Nazareño/Christ carrying the cross
• 
  El Santo Nazareño: Detail
• 
  El Señor de la Misericordia/Crucifix
• 
  La Virgen de la Soledad/Our Lady of Sorrows
• 
  Unidentified saint, possibly St. Joseph
• 
  La Virgen del Rosario/Our Lady of the Rosary
• 
  Virgin and Child

Santos in the Church of San Miguel Ejutla, Oaxaca, Mexico

Ejutla is also known as Heroica Ciudad de Ejutla de Crespo.

• 
  Nuestra Señora del Carmen/Our Lady of Mount Carmel
• 
  La Madre de los Dolores/Our Lady of Sorrows
• 
  Unidentified Dominican saint
• 
  Unidentified Franciscan saint
• 
  Unidentified Franciscan saint
• 
  San Francisco de Asis/St. Francis of Assisi
• 
  San Juan/St. John the Evangelist
• 
  La Santa Magdalena/St. Mary Magdalene
• 
  Nuestra Señora de la Soledad/Our Lady of Sorrows
• 
  La Virgen de la Asunción/Virgin of the Assumption
• 
  Assumption of Mary
• 
  Christ in the Purple Cloak
• 
  El Dios de la Peña/Jesus Mocked in the Pretorium

Santos in the Church of San Pedro y San Pablo Etla

Identifications and background provided by the 1991 encargado de la parroquia.

• 
  Angel
• 
  San Antonio de Padua/St. Anthony of Padua
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  Nuestra Señora del Carmen/Our Lady of Mount Carmel
• 
  El Dios de la Peña/Seated Christ mocked in the pretorium
• 
  San Lucas/St. Luke the Evangelist
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  Jesus el Nazareño/Christ on the way to Calvary
• 
  San Pablo/St. Paul
• 
  San Pedro Apóstol/St. Peter
• 
  San Pedro Mártir/St. Peter Martyr/Peter of Verona
• 
  El Señor de la Misericordia/Crucifix
• 
  Soledad group (Virgin Mary, Virgen de la Soledad, Christ in the purple cloak)
• 
  Unidentified saint
• 
  Santo Tomás de Aquino/St. Thomas Aquinas
• 
  Unidentified saint
• 
  Virgin Mary
• 
  Christ at the Pillar
• 
  Christ fallen under the cross

Santos in the Church of San Juan Guelavia

Identifications and background were provided in Guelavia by Sr. Florencio Hernández Martínez.

• 
  El Señor de la Misericordia/Crucifix
• 
  La Virgen del Carmen/Our Lady of Mount Carmel
• 
  El Dios de la Peña/Pensive Christ (Christ mocked in the pretorium)
• 
  San Nicolás/Probably St. Nicholas Factor
• 
  Unidentified saint
• 
  Virgin Mary
• 
  Virgin Mary
• 
  Virgin and Child
• 
  Christ fallen beneath the cross

Santos in the Church of San Pablo Huitzo

• 
  San Antonio de Padua/St. Anthony of Padua
• 
  Nuestra Señora del Carmen/Our Lady of Mount Carmel
• 
  Corazón de María/Immaculate Heart of Mary
• 
  San Jacinto/Saint Hyacinth
• 
  San Isidro Labrador/Saint Isidore the Laborer
• 
  San Juan Bautista/St. John the Baptist
• 
  St. John the Evangelist as at the foot of the cross
• 
  La Santa Magdalena/St. Mary Magdalene
• 
  San Miguel Arcángel/St. Michael the Archangel
• 
  San Pablo/St. Paul
• 
  San Pedro Apóstol/St. Peter the Apostle
• 
  San Pedro Mártir/St. Peter Martyr/Peter of Verona
• 
  Sacred Heart of Jesus
• 
  El Señor de la Muerte/Christ in a display coffin
• 
  Nuestra Señora de la Soledad/Our Lady of Sorrows
• 
  Unidentified female saint
• 
  Unidentified saint
• 
  Virgin and Child
• 
  Christ Child
• 
  Christ at the pillar
• 
  Christ
• 
  Christ fallen beneath the cross

Santos in the Church of San Pablo Mitla

• 
  San Antonio de Padua/St. Anthony of Padua
• 
  La Virgen de la Asunción/Our Lady of the Assumption
• 
  San José/St. Joseph
• 
  San Juan Bautista/St. John the Baptist
• 
  La Virgen de la Asunción/Our Lady of the Assumption
• 
  Unidentified saint
• 
  El Señor de la Misericordia/Calvary group
• 
  Corazón de María/Immaculate Heart of Mary
• 
  El Señor de la Misericordia/Crucifix
• 
  El Santo Nazareño/Christ in the purple cloak
• 
  San José/St. Joseph
• 
  La Madre de los Dolores/Our Lady of Sorrows
• 
  San Pablo/St. Paul
• 
  San Pablo/St. Paul
• 
  San Pedro/St. Peter
• 
  Palm Sunday Christ/Palmesel
• 
  Resurrected Christ
• 
  El Señor de la Muerte/Christ in a coffin
• 
  Nuestra Señora de la Soledad/Our Lady of Sorrows
• 
  Trinity (Throne of Mercy)

Santos in the Church of Asunción Nochixtlan

• 
  La Madre de los Dolores/Our Lady of Sorrows
• 
  Unidentified female saint (Virgin Mary? Mary Magdalene?)
• 
  El Señor de la Misericordia/Crucifix

Santos in the Church of Santo Domingo Ocotlán

• 
  San Pedro Mártir (St. Peter Martyr) and unidentified Dominican saint
• 
  Soul in Purgatory
• 
  Soul in Purgatory: Detail
• 
  Unidentified Franciscan saint
• 
  Unidentified Franciscan saint: Detail
• 
  God the Father
• 
  St. Joseph
• 
  San Juan Evangelista/St. John the Evangelist
• 
  La Madre de los Dolores/Our Lady of Sorrows
• 
  La Santa Magdalena/St. Mary Magdalene
• 
  San Miguel/St. Michael the Archangel
• 
  Palm Sunday Christ
• 
  San Sebastián/St. Sebastian
• 
  Virgin Mary

Santos in the Church of Santo Domingo Díaz Ordaz

Identifications and background were provided in 1991 by the encargados, Sr. Marco Santiago Morales and Sr. Ignacio Santiago Morales.

• 
  La Madre de los Dolores/Our Lady of Sorrows
• 
  San José/St. Joseph
• 
  San Pedro/St. Peter
• 
  San Pedro Mártir/St. Peter Martyr/Peter of Verona
• 
  Palm Sunday Christ/Palmesel
• 
  Trinity (Throne of Mercy)
• 
  Virgin and Child
• 
  Virgin and Child

Santos in the Church of Santa María de la Navidad, Tamazulapan

• 
  Angel
• 
  San Antonio de Padua/St. Anthony of Padua
• 
  La Virgen de la Asunción/Our Lady of the Assumption
• 
  Infant John the Baptist
• 
  Unidentified saint (St. John the Baptist?)
• 
  Unidentified saint (Carmelite nun?)
• 
  Christ in the purple cloak
• 
  "Pensive Christ" in the pretorium
• 
  Probably La Madre de los Dolores/Our Lady of Sorrows
• 
  San Isidro Labrador/St. Isidore the Laborer
• 
  Possibly La Santa Magdalena/St. Mary Magdalene
• 
  San Miguel/St. Michael the Archangel
• 
  Palm Sunday Christ (the "Palmesel")
• 
  San Pedro Apóstol/St. Peter
• 
  Sagrado Corazón/Sacred Heart of Jesus
• 
  El Señor de la Misericordia/Crucifix
• 
  El Señor de la Misericordia/Crucifix
• 
  Trinity ("Throne of Mercy")
• 
  Christ in coffin

Santos in the Church of San Juan Teitipac

Identifications and background information were provided in 1991 by Sr. Hilario Lopez A.

• 
  San Antonio de Padua/St. Anthony of Padua
• 
  San Benito/St. Benedict of Nursia
• 
  La Candelaria/The Virgin Mary at Candlemas
• 
  La Virgen del Carmen/Our Lady of Mount Carmel
• 
  Christ in the purple cloak
• 
  Immaculate Heart of Mary
• 
  Head of St. John the Baptist
• 
  El Dios de la Muerte/Christ in coffin
• 
  Dulce Nombre de Jesus/Holy Name of Jesus (crucifix)
• 
  San Isidro Labrador/St. Isidore the Laborer
• 
  San Jacinto/St. Hyacinth
• 
  San José Patriarca/St. Joseph
• 
  San Juan Bautista/St. John the Baptist
• 
  San Juanito/St. John the Baptist
• 
  La Madre de los Dolores/Our Lady of Sorrows
• 
  San Nicolás/St. Nicholas Factor
• 
  San Pedro/St. Peter
• 
  San Pedro Apóstol/St. Peter
• 
  San Pedro Avril/probably St. Peter Martyr (Peter of Verona)
• 
  El San Posentilla/Christ in the purple cloak
• 
  Palm Sunday Christ
• 
  El Cristo de la Resurrección de la Carne/Resurrected Christ
• 
  Our Lady of the Rosary
• 
  Our Lady of the Rosary
• 
  San Paciencia/Pensive Christ in the pretorium
• 
  San Paciencia/Pensive Christ in the pretorium
• 
  Santa María Yasichi/Our Lady of the Assumption
• 
  El Señor de la Misericordia/Crucifix
• 
  El Señor de la Misericordia/Crucifix
• 
  Soledad
• 
  San Simon Estoc/St. Simon Stock
• 
  Trinity
• 
  Unidentified Franciscan saint
• 
  Christ in the purple cloak

Santos in the Church of Preciosa Sangre de Cristo in Teotitlán del Valle

Identifications and background were provided in 1991 by Sr. Luís Mendoza and Sr. Silvestre Lázaro Mendoza.

• 
  El Señor de la Misericordia/Two crucifixes
• 
  Closer view of the two crucifixes
• 
  El Señor de la Misericordia/Crucifix
• 
  San Francisco de Asís/St. Francis of Assisi
• 
  San Jacinto/St. Hyacinth
• 
  San Joao/St. Joseph
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  San Juan Bautista, San Miguel/St. John the Baptist, St. Michael the Archangel
• 
  San Juan Evangelista/St. John the Evangelist
• 
  La Santa Magdalena/St. Mary Magdalene
• 
  San Pedro Apóstol/St. Peter
• 
  San Pedro Apóstol/St. Peter
• 
  Palm Sunday Christ
• 
  Resurrected Christ
• 
  San Sebastián/St. Sebastian
• 
  El Señor de la Muerte/Christ in coffin
• 
  El Señor del Nazareño/Christ in the purple cloak
• 
  La Madre de los Dolores/Our Lady of Sorrows
• 
  Nuestra Señora de la Soledad/Our Lady of Sorrows
• 
  Trinity (Throne of Mercy)
• 
  Unidentified Franciscan saint
• 
  Virgin Mary
• 
  La Virgen de la Navidad/Virgin Mary
• 
  La Virgen del Rosario/Our Lady of the Rosary
• 
  Christ Child

Santos in the Church of San Pedro y San Pablo Teposcolula

• 
  Our Lady of Sorrows and Immaculate Heart of Mary
• 
  Angel
• 
  San Antonio de Padua/St. Anthony of Padua
• 
  Unidentified female saint
• 
  Altar of La Virgen del Carmen
• 
  La Virgen del Carmen/Our Lady of Mount Carmel
• 
  El Dios de la Peña/Pensive Christ, Jesus mocked in the pretorium
• 
  Dominican saint
• 
  Unidentified female saint
• 
  Franciscan saint
• 
  San Isidro Labrador/St. Isidore the Laborer
• 
  La Santa Magdalena/St. Mary Magdalene
• 
  San Miguel/St. Michael the Archangel
• 
  San Pablo/St. Paul
• 
  San Pedro Apóstol/St. Peter
• 
  Saints Peter and Paul?
• 
  Palm Sunday Christ
• 
  Virgin Mary in a coffin
• 
  Resurrected Christ
• 
  Sacred Heart of Jesus
• 
  San Miguel/St. Michael the Archangel
• 
  El Señor de la Misericordia/Crucifix, with the Virgin Mary and St. John
• 
  Glass case with Crucifixion group, seen from the right
• 
  Glass case with Crucifixion group, seen from the left
• 
  Christ in a coffin
• 
  Nuestra Señora de la Soledad/Our Lady of Sorrows
• 
  Unidentified saint (monk)
• 
  Unidentified saint (monk)
• 
  Unidentified saint (monk)
• 
  Unidentified saint (priest)
• 
  Saint Veronica
• 
  Our Lady of the Rosary Group
• 
  Our Lady of the Rosary Group: Detail
• 
  Christ
• 
  Christ in the purple cloak
• 
  Christ fallen with the Cross

Santos in the Former Convento in San Pedro y San Pablo Teposcolula

• 
  Two unidentified saints
• 
  Three unidentified saints
• 
  Angel
• 
  Two crucifixes and two unidentified saints
• 
  Crucifix with two unidentified saints
• 
  Kneeling saint
• 
  San Miguel/St. Michael the Archangel
• 
  El Señor de la Misericordia/Crucifix
• 
  El Señor de la Misericordia/Crucifix
• 
  Close-up
• 
  Nuestra Señora de la Soledad/Our Lady of Sorrows
• 
  Unclothed saint
• 
  Unidentified saint
• 
  Unidentified saint (monk)
• 
  Unidentified saint (priest)
• 
  Unidentified saint

Santos in the Church of Santiago Tilantongo

• 
  Christ in the purple cloak
• 
  El Señor de la Misericordia/Crucifix
• 
  El Señor de la Misericordia/Crucifix
• 
  El Dios de la Peña/"Pensive Christ" in the pretorium
• 
  Unidentified saint in conquistador helmet
• 
  Holy Week group
• 
  Santiago Matamoros/St. James the Moorslayer
• 
  Santiago Matamoros/St. James the Moorslayer
• 
  Nuestra Señora de la Soledad/Our Lady of Sorrows
• 
  San Sebastián/St. Sebastian
• 
  Santiago/St. James as a pilgrim
• 
  Virgin Mary
• 
  Virgin Mary
• 
  Christ?

Santos in the Church of San Jerónimo Tlacochahuaya

Information provided by the official government guide, Sr. Daniel Méndez García

• 
  San Jerónimo/St. Jerome

Santos in the Church of La Asunción de Nuestra Señora, Tlacolula

Information provided in 1991 by the encargado, Sr. Juan Santiago Jescas

Santos in the main church

• 
  El Señor de la Muerte/Christ in a coffin
• 
  Christ in the purple cloak

Santos in the Capilla del Señor de Tlacolula

• 
  San Antoñito/St. Anthony of Padua
• 
  La Virgen de la Asunción/Our Lady of the Assumption
• 
  La Madre de los Dolores/Our Lady of Sorrows
• 
  San Pedro Mártir/St. Peter Martyr, Peter of Verona
• 
  El Santo Nazareño/Palm Sunday Christ
• 
  San Juan Evangelista/St. John the Evangelist
• 
  El Señor de la Misericordia/Crucifix
• 
  Trinity (Throne of Mercy)
• 
  El Dios de la Peña/"Pensive Christ"

Santos in the Church of Santa María Asunción Tlaxiaco

• 
  La Virgen de la Asunción/Our Lady of the Assumption
• 
  Bust of the Virgin Mary
• 
  La Virgen del Carmen/Our Lady of Mount Carmel
• 
  La Virgen de Guadalupe/Our Lady of Guadalupe
• 
  Unidentified saint
• 
  Christ carrying the Cross

Santos in the Church of Santa María de la Asunción in Santa María del Tule

Identifications and background provided by a member of El Tule's mayordomía

• 
  Virgen de la Asunción/Our Lady of the Assumption
• 
  Santa Eduviges, Reyna de Polonia/St. Hedwig, Queen of Poland
• 
  Unidentified female saint
• 
  Unidentified male saint

Santos in the Church of Santa Elena de la Cruz Xoxocotlán

• 
  Angels
• 
  Nuestra Señora del Carmen/Our Lady of Mount Carmel
• 
  Santa Elena de la Cruz/St. Helena of Constantinople
• 
  La Madre de los Dolores/Our Lady of Sorrows
• 
  Our Lady of the Rosary Group (with Saint Sebastian)
• 
  El Santo Nazareño/Christ in the purple cloak
• 
  El Señor de la Misericordia/Crucifix
• 
  El Señor de la Misericordia/Crucifix
• 
  El Señor de la Misericordia/Crucifix
• 
  El Señor de la Transfiguración del Rio lo Seca/Crucifix
• 
  Nuestra Señora de la Soledad, El Señor de la Muerte/Our Lady of Sorrows, Christ in a coffin
• 
  St. Thérèse of Lisieux
• 
  Trinity (Throne of Mercy)
• 
  Unidentified Franciscan saint

Santos in Santo Domingo Yanhuitlán

Some identifications and background were provided by Sr. Anastasio Ventura, an officer of the museum.

In the Main Church

• 
  El Dios de la Peña/"Pensive Christ" in the pretorium
• 
  Unidentified Dominican nun
• 
  Unidentified Franciscan saint
• 
  La Virgen de Guadalupe/Our Lady of Guadalupe
• 
  San Miguel/St. Michael the Archangel
• 
  San Pedro Apóstol/St. Peter
• 
  Palm Sunday Christ
• 
  St. Dominic grouping, including St. Nicholas Factor
• 
  St. Sebastian grouping with resurrected Christ and Sacred Heart of Jesus
• 
  Crucifix with St. Raphael and the Christ Child
• 
  El Señor de la Misericordia/Crucifix
• 
  Trinity
• 
  Unidentified saint
• 
  Unidentified saint
• 
  Unidentified saint
• 
  Long shot of unid. saint 3
• 
  Close-up of Trinity below unid. saint 3
• 
  St. Dominic
• 
  Unidentified saint
• 
  Virgin Mary
• 
  Our Lady of Sorrows
• 
  Virgin Mary in a Straw Hat
• 
  Christ carrying the cross
• 
  San Pedro Mártir/St. Peter Martyr, Peter of Verona
• 
  Santos of the main altar, left side
• 
  Santos of the main altar, right side
• 
  Unidentified Dominican
• 
  Virgin and Child
• 
  Christ Child

In the Convento Museum

• 
  St. Dominic grouping, with St. Michael and St. Dismas
• 
  El Señor de la Misericordia/Crucifix
• 
  El Señor de la Misericordia/Crucifix
• 
  El Señor de la Misericordia/Crucifix
• 
  El Señor de la Misericordia/Crucifix
• 
  El Señor de la Misericordia/Crucifix

In the Ayuxi Chapel

• 
  Divino Señor de Ayuxi/Crucifix
• 
  Unidentified female saint

Santos in the Church of Santa María Zaachila

Information and background was provided in 1991 by a custodian.

• 
  La Virgen del Carmen/Our Lady of Mount Carmel
• 
  San Nicolás/St. Nicholas Factor
• 
  San Nicolás/St. Nicholas Factor
• 
  Resurrected Christ
• 
  Virgen del Sagrado Corazón/Immaculate Heart of Mary
• 
  El Señor de la Muerte/Christ in a coffin

Santos in the Church of San Lorenzo Zimatlán

• 
  Corazón de María/Immaculate Heart of Mary
• 
  San Juan Bautista/St. John the Baptist
• 
  San Isidro Labrador/St. Isidore the Laborer
• 
  El Sagrado Corazón de Jesús/Sacred Heart of Jesus
• 
  El Señor de la Misericordia/Crucifix
• 
  Nuestra Señora de la Soledad/Our Lady of Sorrows
• 
  Virgin and Child, possibly Our Lady of Mount Carmel
• 
  Virgin Mary
• 
  Christ carrying the cross
• 
  Christ fallen beneath the cross