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The Colorful Retablos of Yucatán

Until recently, the colonial altarpieces of Yucatan were considered secondary to those elsewhere in Mexico, but this view has now been challenged.

Starting in 1999, an ambitious program of conservation and restoration of these retablos has been under way, with many important projects successfully completed.

Teams of restorers, directed by Fernando Garcés Fierros of INAH and funded in part by Adopte Una Obra de Arte of Yucatan, have undertaken the conservation of more than sixty such retablos, including major works at Tecoh, Tabi and Yaxcabá among many others.

While acting in a timely manner to save several altarpieces in rural churches that were in imminent danger of decay or collapse, these projects have also revealed the color, richness and complexity of these colonial works of art. In addition, the restorations have helped to define the distinctive regional style of these retablos, a body of religious art that complements the now widely recognized unique character of the colonial architecture of the region.

There were also a few surprises, which we will describe in future pages.

At Espadaña Press we have already described some of these retablos, and plan to feature many more individual works in future pages.* Meanwhile, here is a selection of recently restored retablos from some rural churches in Yucatan:

Tipikal, near Mani: retablo of San Isidro	Tipikal: retablo of San Miguel	Timucuy, near Mérida: retablo of San Gaspar
Tekit: retablo of San Antonio de Padua	Hocabá: side retablo	Hocabá: main retablo of San Francisco

*existing or *forthcoming features on this web site.

Calotmul: Main retablo Chemax: Main retablo & 2 side altars Chumayel: Main retablo Dzemul: Main retablo Hocabá: Main & side retablo. (this page) * Hopelchén (Campeche): Main retablo * Mani: main retablo; side retablos*; wall retablo (mural) * Mamá: Main retablo & five laterals. Murals.* Maxcanú: Main retablo, side retablo & pulpit. * Mocochá: Main retablo & 2 side retablos Peto: Main retablo & side altar Santa Elena: Main retablo & 5 side altars. *

Sotuta: 4 side altars & statuary Tabi: Main retablo & camarín altarpiece.* Teabo: Side altar Tecoh: Main retablo & 2 side altars.* Tekit: Main retablo.(this page)* Telchac: Main retablo Tipikal: Main & side retablos.(this page)* Timicuy: Main retablo.(this page)* Tixkokob: side altar Ucú: Main retablo.* Valladolid/Sisal: Main retablo; side altars Yaxcabá: Main retablo & 6 side altars. *

Text ©2005 /6 by Richard D. Perry. Pictures ©Foto Rincón and Diario de Yucatan

For other pages in our Colorful Retablos series, check the chart above or go to our main Yucatan archive

Thanks to Ruth Gubler for keeping us up to date on these important conservation projects.

See also our page on the lost retablos of Mérida cathedral

For further information on these churches and others, see our new guidebook, MAYA MISSIONS; Exploring Colonial Yucatan

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