Casta Paintings

Defining Race and Gender Relations in Colonial Latin

America

Origins of “Casta”• Casta is an Iberian word (Spanish,

Portuguese) meaning “lineage”, “breed” or “race.” Answer for # 1

• During the Spanish colonial period, Spaniards developed a caste (class) system based on race, which determined a person’s importance and role in society.

Defining castas in Latin America

• During the conquest of the Americas, most people fell into four distinct ethnic/racial groups: Peninsular Spaniards, Creoles, Native Americans, and Africans. Answer for 2A

• By the early 17th century, these categories broke down quickly and new castas (classes) were being defined. Some estimates place the total number of castas in use in colonial Latin America at sixty or more. Answer for 2B

Casta paintings generally appear in groups of 16 portraits that trace the complex racial mixing of the people in New Spain.

Casta Paintings• Casta paintings are part of the 18th

century artistic tradition of Colonial Mexico.

• Each painting depicts a couple along

with one or two children.

• An inscription describing the ethnic and racial make up of the mother, the father, and the child(ren) is usually apparent.

How to Analyze Casta PaintingsWhat Do You See?

(Observations)

• Who is in the painting?

• What are they doing?

• What are they wearing?

• How does their environment look?

What Do Observations Mean?

• Are the males & females doing similar or different things?

• Do actions depend on race?

• Do clothing & environments change depending on race & class?

#1 - Spaniard & Native Create Mestizo

#2 - Spaniard & Mestiza Create Castiza

#3 - African & Spaniard Create Mulatto

#4 - Mestizo & Indian Create Coyote

#5 - Mulatto & Spaniard Create Morisco

#6 - Spaniard & Morisca Create Albino

#7 - Spaniard & Albino Create Black-Return-Backwards

#8 - African & Indian Create Wolf

#9 - Wolf & Indian Create Zambaiga

#10 – Zambaigo & Indian Create Albarazado

What do the Casta Paintings tell us about race & gender?

• Turn & Talk with someone at your table.

• Share your observations and analysis of the Casta paintings.

• What did you notice about race, gender, & class?

What do Casta Paintings show?

Paintings suggest typical clothing for different social classes

• Reveal details of buildings, home life, & environments.

• Present depictions of everyday objects, native flora and fauna, and foodstuffs

Key Question

• Why do you think the Spanish spent so much time and effort defining the different castas?

• Write down answer & be prepared to share it!

Maintaining social and political control in Colonial New Spain

Although the use and purpose ofCasta Paintings remains uncertain, these generallysuggest the fascination with race and limpieza de

sangre (purity of blood) that characterized colonialmentalities. Spaniards used their elaborate system

of classification to maintain social and politicalcontrol, allowing the “pureblooded” to hold the

top position in colonial society.