Cristopher Columbus at the Court of the Catholic Monarchs

The age of Neoclassicism was marked by shifting paradigms that were influenced by multiple factors in varying degree. It emerged in Europe by the late 18th century as a cultural movement that aimed to revive the art, architecture and the ideals of classical Greece and Rome. One of the major causes, was the association of the ornamental rococo style with aristocratic hierarchy. The common masses and art practitioners alike chose to depart from the overly decorative baroque and rococo aesthetics as they represented and resembled royal excess. This being the age of enlightenment, saw the intellectuals embracing values like order, reason, logic and universal truths, looking at the ethical and philosophical framework of the classical era as the ultimate standard of moral and intellectual purity. This began by the mid 18th century, when the ancient Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum were excavated, sparking global fascination. Thereon, the neoclassical ideals spread far and wide through various agents such as trade, migrating artists, etc. Juan Cordero is a 19th century Mexican artist who brought the neoclassical influence to Mexico after receiving a government scholarship to continue his education in Italy. Born in Puebla, he received formal training in his early years at the San Carlos Academy in Mexico City, where, he studied under Miguel Mata, while in Italy he was mentored by Pelegrin Clave. He was exposed to various currents in Italy which greatly evolved his practice, the high renaissance formalistic elements combined with the neoclassical ideals refined his taste. Cordero sought to establish a uniquely Mexican aesthetic which was a fusion of sorts, academic art that was rooted in European classical traditions exhibiting nationalistic subject matter rather than colonial, was his primary objective. His career had three distinct phases, namely, the Italian period grounded in the neoclassical aesthetic, followed by the phase of portraiture, in which Cordero became one of the leading portraitists of Mexico, after returning from Italy, which preceded the last phase; the mural period. The above artwork, titled "Cristopher Columbus at the Court of the Catholic Monarchs" was made during his time in Italy. It depicts a scene from the Spanish court of King Ferdinand where Columbus the explorer and seafarer introduces the native Americans he found during his voyage to the West Indies to the Spanish monarchs. The crowd appears to be fascinated by the scene unfolding in front of them. Cordero chooses to paint an image highlighting the theatrical encounter, shedding light upon the impact and realities of imperial conquests. The artwork is a monumental historical painting that displays Cordero's mastery of European academic painting, combined with his commitment to Latin American historical subjects.