Indigenous appropriation of an infernal punishment image at the ixquimilpan convent (Hidalgo, Mexico) [Apropriação indígena de uma imagem de castigo infernal no convento de Ixmiquilpan (Hidalgo, México)] [Apropiación indígena de una imagen de castigo infernal en el convento de Ixmiquilpan (Hidalgo, México)]

This article analyzes an image unknown within the novohispanic historiography of the 16th century. The figure is located in the church choir vault at the Augustinian ex-convent in Ixmiquilpan, Hidalgo, Mexico. The void regarding said figure raises a question: Does it hold any meaning or is it merely an ornament? To address it, the meaning of the Grotesque is proposed, along with some theoretical reflections about the issues regarding research of the Indigenous-Christian art of the 16th century. Contextualization of the image is carried out within the church's iconographical program and its relation to other convent ensembles in New Spain, which were linked to iconographical programs of infernal punishment, especially those located along the northern novohispanic border. Its relation to engravings and images of 16th century Spanish art is discussed and the methodology is complemented by analyzing contextual relations, circulation of images and association to written sources. Based on the latter, it was possible to identify the subject and meaning of the image in question, which according to interpretation of the iconographical program of the upper and lower friezes, the most plausible meaning is the condemnation of lust through serpents which inflict infernal punishment. © 2020 Universidad Nacional de Colombia. All rights reserved.

16th century convents; Grotesque; Inferno; Ixmiquilpan; Lust; Visual miscegenation

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