St James the Moor-Slayer Carving Arequipa Peru
by James Brunker
Title
St James the Moor-Slayer Carving Arequipa Peru
Artist
James Brunker
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
This magnificent carving of St James the Moor-Slayer is found over a side entrance of the Compania de Jesus Jesuit church, one of the most notable architectural monuments in the city of Arequipa in southern Peru. It is a superb example of the Andean Baroque style and like many colonial buildings in the city is built using a local white volcanic stone called sillar. Arequipa's historic colonial centre was added to UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites in 2000.
St James (Santiago Matamoros in Spanish) is a representation of St James the Great, who is said to be buried in the famous cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in northwest Spain. According to legends he miraculously appeared at the mythical Battle of Clavijo and inspired the Christians to defeat the Muslim Moors during the Reconquista / Reconquest of Spain. His iconography was widely used during the Spanish conquest of The Americas and many churches were dedicated to him; similar legends tell of his appearance to assist the Spanish conquistadores against a rebellion by the Incas in Cusco, Peru. The scallop shells in the upper part are a common symbol of St James and feature on signs all along the famous Way of St James pilgrimage routes in Spain.
Photograph © James Brunker. Reproduction, transmission or publication in any form without prior written permission strictly prohibited.
Uploaded
January 26th, 2015
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