Exploring Colonial Mexico©

In January 2006, the little church of Santa Ana Tlachihualpan, in the state of Mexico, was the latest victim in the spate of art robberies plaguing Mexico.

Five priceless colonial paintings and two statues were stolen. The large canvases, some more than 2 meters in area, were torn from their frames, and included images of The Holy Family, The Virgin of Sorrows, St. Anthony of Padua and the Virgin of Guadalupe.

The two statues, of the Virgin of Candelaria and St. Anne, the venerated patron saint of the church and the village, were also taken, much to the consternation of the congregation, whose members viewed the widespread damage left by the thieves during their pillaging.

Sacred objects of silver and gold were stolen from the church in 1996, and it may be the same gang that returned to commit more plunder. The fact that the art works were not registered with any agency, makes their recovery especially difficult.

text © 2006 Richard D. Perry, based on press reports

picture © 2006 Javier Césareo López