USES AND FUNCTIONS OF MASCARILLA IN IBERO-AMERICAN DEVOTIONAL POLYCHROME SCULPTURE

Parallel between Brazil and Ecuador

Abstract

The polychrome devotional sculpture in Ibero-America of the 17th and 18th centuries is characterized by a variety of techniques in the pursuit of realism and dramatization. The modelling and foundry technology known as mascarilla is of spanish origin and consisted of placing a mask made of metal from a mold, fitted in the wooden skull of the sculpture. The aim of this study is to analyze the uses and functions of the mascarillas through a parallel between two countries: Brazil where only one sculptural set with the lead face was found and Ecuador producer and exporter of images with metallic masks. A bibliographical survey was conducted in the areas of History, Art and Conservation-Restoration, in addition to the photographic record in situ in Ouro Preto and Quito. Therefore, the use of different methods and materials is linked to the devices and ingenious of the techniques in the modern european empires universe.