paintings

This image of Mary is known as the Virgin of Perpetual Help. Combining Byzantine iconography with the style of the Cuzco School, Peruvian artist Jose Ponce de Leon paints a truly stunning composition of Mary as she holds baby Jesus, flanked by two angels. Wearing regal attire, the pair are captured in a pictorial style that also harks back to colonialism. Gold leaf designs in relief complete this stunning painting.

Titled Virgen del perpetuo socorro in Spanish.

Fernando Sayan Polo depicts the Holy Family enjoying an afternoon in the countryside. Sumptuous brocades adorned with gleaming bronze leaf envelop the Virgin and Saint Joseph, and both are enthralled by little Jesus, who pets a lamb. Christ is known as the Good Shepherd, a metaphor taken from the gospel and prefigured in the Psalms. Representing unblemished sacrifice, modesty and innocence, the lamb became a symbol of Jesus during the first century A.D.

The portrait emulates classic religious art from Cuzco's city's and monasteries.

Titled "Sagrada Familia" in Spanish.

A beautiful Madonna takes the children outdoors to enjoy a splendid afternoon in the countryside. Little Jesus and her cousin Elisabeth's little boy — who grew up to became Saint John the Baptist — stay close to Mary, who is ever watchful. Fernando Sayan Polo takes his inspiration from the 1507 masterpiece by Raphael Sanzio da Urbino, a painter in Italy during the High Renaissance. La belle jardinière,, also known as "Madonna and Child with Saint John the Baptist," depicts the Virgin and young boys in a similar pose. But the Peruvian artist adds halos bathed in gleaming bronze leaf and golden brocade to Mary's opulent gown.

Titled "Sagrada Familia con San Juanito" in Spanish.

By Fernando Sayan Polo, this elegant oil on canvas depicts the Holy Family with Mary's cousin Elisabeth and her son, who grew up to became Saint John the Baptist. The Peruvian artist take his inspiration from the 1508 High Renaissance masterpiece by Raphael Sanzio da Urbino. The original painting is known as the "Canigiani Holy Family," named for the family of Florence that purchased it from Raphael. It is now housed in the Alte Pinakothek in Munich.

Sayan Polo brings his own vision to the composition, changing the background and dressing the trio in rich silk brocades. The cherubs, known as putti, are no longer present. Instead, he crowns Joseph with a glittering halo in this reverent work of art.

Titled "Sagrada Familia con la señora Elisabeth" in Spanish.

By Fernando Sayan Polo, this splendid portrait of the Holy Virgin reveals the influence of Peru's pre-Hispanic art that melds with European styling. His color palette is one favored by the ancient Inca, and the patterns on Mary's gown recall colonial art created by ancient artists. Yet Our Lady's lovely face and halo suggest Spanish paintings. This exquisite portrait is adorned with bronze leaf.

The artist works in the style of Renaissance masterpieces found in the convents and churches of Cuzco. The painting is a copy of a classic portrait, a theme he often repeats. Sayan gives it his own artistic interpretation.

Titled "Virgen Divina" in Spanish.