Mid XX - Cuzco Painting Peruvian School - The Spinning Virgin

Mid XX Cuzco Painting Peruvian School
"The Spinning Virgin"
Technique : huile sur toile
Dimensions 42 x 32 cm


Beautiful vintage religious painting depicting La Virgen Hilandera (The Spinning Virgin), portrayed seated while holding a spindle and thread, symbolizing humility, devotion, and domestic virtue. The artwork reflects traditional Colonial and Latin American folk religious art, characterized by rich ornamentation, delicate facial features, and finely detailed garments enhanced with decorative patterns and textured accents.

The composition is framed by an elegant floral border and warm, dark background that highlights the figure’s radiant halo and intricate clothing details. The aged patina and hand-painted character give the piece a timeless antique presence

This painting was likely part of a devotional series or a domestic or church altarpiece. These types of images had an important catechetical and emotional function in the colonial world, helping to connect with the religion and promote piety among the faithful.


It is a representation of an archangel, the Archangel Miguel, one of the most common figures in this type of colonial religious art.

The distinctive ornamental attire is also notable, with gold appliqués, and embroidered details typical of the iconography of arquebus-wielding angels and archangels in South American viceregal art.