Description:
Quito was a renowned center of artistic production during the colonial period. The patronage of the city's numerous religious institutions kept local painters active in their trade. Despite the relative proximity of other important artistic centers like Lima and Cuzco, painting from the Quito School possesses its own distinct style; it features sober and elegant coloration coupled with a very discreet use of gilding—employed only to emphasize minute details—such as in this image of Our Lady of Passau, likely inspired by a European print of a painting by Lucas Cranach the Elder. The painting's frame, which is original, is a testament to the virtuosity of the city's wood carvers.