The Eucharist in the Altarpieces of New Spain: the Case of the “Collateral” of San Francisco Javier in Tepotzotlán

Abstract

This article draws attention to the importance of altarpieces for Eucharistic worship. The case that will be analyzed is the altarpiece of San Francisco Javier in the Jesuit novitiate temple of Tepotzotlán, today at the Museo del Virreinato. The altarpieces´ ostensory, —the monstrance of the consecrated host— holds a painting of the Virgin of Guadalupe, that appeared and disappeared when the Eucharist manifested itself. This article proposes the angel at the feet of the Guadalupana might have been identified with the archangel Michael.