Introduction
Casta paintings were used to portray racial mixing – so-called mestizaje. Usually, it represents a couple (alone or with children) and an explanation of the ethnic and racial peculiarities.
Casta painting tradition
First of all, it seems appropriate to identify the notion of the casta painting tradition to compare it to the biombo. It is New Spain’s secular colonial painting devoted to the illustration of the racial hierarchy. Spain colonies consisted of a range of ethnoracial groups including Blacks (both slaves and free) and Indian tribes. When Spaniards moved to their colonies in the New World, they moved their traditions and religion as well. However, the absence of some religions such as Muslims or Jewish determined them as respectable ones while Blacks were considered as the lowest social level of the society due to their transposition to the New World in the role of slaves and color of skin. Indians also were positioned lower than Whites even though the existence of their republic was recognized. All the Whites behaved as nobles. In other words, Europeans transferred their system of plebeians and aristocracy. The notion of pure blood was placed on the top. However, plenty of casta persons were assigned different ranks in diverse documents. It shows that the determination of the casta was fluid and depended on a particular case. A great majority of casta paintings were detected in Spain. It supposes the idea that they were used as souvenirs to demonstrate local people’s truthful and colorful life of the New World.
Biombo and casta painting tradition common features
The biombo under analysis is a screen made in the casta painting tradition. The painting reveals plenty of details of the mode of life and traditions of New Mexico at that time. For example, looking at the painting on the biombo, it is possible to identify the typical clothing of that social class. Moreover, it presents everyday objects, flora, and fauna as well as architectural features of that time. It is very significant to point out the fact that the painting is labeled with a number and lettering creating a type of taxonomy similar to the scientific one. It confirms the fact that people became aware that they might be categorized according to their ethnic origin.
In its turn, the latter is an expression of the Enlightenment. In particular, people began to think about scientific and philosophical issues that were important for the development of society. In addition, it should be stressed that the exact purpose of casta paintings is not identified. Generally, it is considered that they underline the purity of blood and classify society according to social castas. Such a separation is a characteristic of the colonial mentality. In its turn, the biombo also goes in line with the above. It also reflects the supremacy of Whites, particularly, Spaniards. Therefore, the biombo made in casta painting tradition might be considered as a thorough description of the daily life and social background of lower castas in New Mexico.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it should be emphasized that casta painting tradition is an integral part of the art of the New World, namely, Mexico, and Spain. It depicts racially mixed couples and their children. Casta paintings reveal the social and domestic contexts of the eighteenth century. Precisely speaking, they reflect the hierarchal society with the supremacy of Whites. Besides, the biombo reflects the principal features of the casta painting tradition.