Engraved Mexican Book

José María Montes de Oca.Vida de San Felipe de Jesus protomartir de Japon y patron de su patria Mexico. Mexico: Calle del Bautisterio de S. Catalina Mr. no. 3, 1801.

(BRB0352)

One of the earliest entirely engraved Mexican books is this illustrated life of San Felipe de Jesús (1572–1597), a patron saint of Mexico City and the first saint of the Catholic Church born in Mexico. The suite of plates was produced by José María Montes de Oca, one of the premier Mexican artists, engravers, and book illustrators of the late colonial period. Felipe de las Casas, the subject of the book, had prepared for the priesthood before abandoning his studies to pursue commercial enterprises in the East Indies. Reconsidering his decision, he was sent from Manila to New Spain to resume his orders and to become ordained. Returning to the New World with other Franciscans, the ship landed in Japan due to bad storms. The friars were accused of piracy and espionage and were eventually crucified at Nagasaki. All of the martyrs were beatified on September 14, 1627 and canonized on June 8, 1862.

Intended to be viewed in chronological order, the 29 plates in this volume provide the viewer with depictions of San Felipe de Jesús’s life prior to his arrival in Japan, his experiences in Japan through the time of his execution, and events after his death. The engraving on display shows the saint, venerated by allegorical female figures dressed in European and Native American costumes, situated upon the traditional symbol of Mexico: an eagle devouring a snake and perched upon a prickly pear cactus.

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Suites
Engraved Mexican Book