The Viceroy was the administrative figure during the Spanish Empire responsible for administering and governing, on behalf of the Spanish Monarchy, a territory. The Viceroy was therefore the personal representative of the King of Spain in other places. In the case of the Americas, due to the great extent of its possessions, the Spanish Crown created two Viceroyalties, the Viceroyalty of New Spain (1535-1821) and the Viceroyalty of Peru (1542-1824). In the case of the former, the life of the Viceroyalty of New Spain was governed internally from the buildings that formed the surroundings of the main square of Mexico City, such as the Viceroyal Palace, the City Hall, the Mint, the University and the Cathedral. The palace, in addition to being the seat of the viceroy, included numerous official offices, making it the nerve centre of viceregal power. The five panels on the right of the screen in the image depict the characteristics of this building before it burned down as a result of the riot of 1692. Opposite the façade of the Palace was the city’s most important market, El Parián, where many goods arrived from Manila. Its stalls sold all kinds of products and utensils, as well as the numerous foodstuffs that supplied the city from the surrounding area. The remaining three pages contain an incomplete view of the Paseo de la Alameda in the Spanish capital. This work offers a view of viceregal society and the role played by its different members. Thus, the ruling class is represented by Spaniards and Creoles, who were involved in the official and leisure world, going to the palace or strolling along the Alameda, while mestizos, mulattos and indigenous people were mainly engaged in service and merchant work.
Collection: Images
Project: 5. Power and powers in the history of Europe: oligarchies, political participation and democracy., 9. Travels and travelers: economic, social and cultural connections.
Chronology: XVII
Scope: Secondary Education, Baccalaureate, University
Resource type: Image
Format: Canvas, oil painting. 184 x 488 cm
Source: Museo de América (Madrid)
Language: Spanish
Date: 1676-1700
Owner: María del Mar Felices de la Fuente (Modernalia)
Identifier: *00207
Copyright: Museo de América (Madrid). Ministerio de Cultura y Deporte
Abstract: Image of a five-panelled folding screen depicting the Palace of the Viceroys in Mexico before it burned down in the turmoil of 1692.
Image
Tags
AméricaCriollosEdad ModernaEscuela mexicanaEspañolesEstatmentosGobernadoresNueva EspañaNuevo MundoSociedadVirreinatosVirreyes
