Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe (Our Lady of Guadalupe)

Little attention has been historically paid to the religious orders—specifically, nuns in the Americas since colonial times, regarding their artistic and economic activities. The numerous convents and monasteries throughout Nueva España and the Vice-Royalty of Peru were set up almost from the earliest days of the arrival of the Spanish. Indeed, the first convent in the Americas was set up in the city of Mexico in 1540 by Archbishop Juan de Zumárraga with four Spanish-born nuns who were charged with the instruction of Christian doctrines of the natives.[1] Although established as places for contemplative lives for women, they also served to protect and act on behalf of wives and widows, and the care and education of young women. The convents and monasteries throughout the territories such as Santa Monica in Guadalajara, Santa Catalina in Lima and others, were self-sufficient through their various activities such as baking, flower growing and selling and their embroidery practices. These institutions flourished and were centers for the spiritual and educational lives of those they served. They functioned as hospitals for the sick and the nuns organized the teaching of the young through free schools they helped found. “In their convents the nuns taught girls their first letters and later on, immersed them in music studies, the theater, dance and arts and crafts such as sewing, embroidery and cooking.” [2] Embroideries such as this small silk composition of the Virgin Mary surrounded by angelic cherubs were typical of the handiwork taught to young girls alongside their Christian formation throughout the many convents in the Americas.