Page:Appleton's Guide to Mexico.djvu/101

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PAINTING.
73

celebrant, looking from the altar—is called lado del evangelio; the left is lado de la epístola.

The chapter is el cabildo.

The sagrario is a special chapel, where the Holy of Holies is often placed, de manifiesto, or displayed.

The vestry is la sacristia; the sexton, sacristan.

The relics, vestments, plate, etc., are kept in what is called el relicario.

Monaguillos are the vestry boys.

Misa mayor is high mass.

The belfry is la torre or el campanario.


XXII.

Painting.

The art of painting was rudely known among the Aztecs, whose means of conveying information was called picture-writing. Unfortunately for learning as well as for art, Zumarraga, the first bishop of Mexico, ordered all Aztec paintings and manuscripts to be committed to the flames. There are, however, a few specimens of these antique pictures in the museum at the national capital. There are but two academies of fine arts in the Republic, one at the City of Mexico, and one at Guadalajara. Art schools are connected with each, and another has been established at Puebla.

The academy of San Carlos, at the capital, contains paintings of considerable merit. Among the best Mexican artists are Jose and Luis Juarez, Baltazar de Chave, Obregon, Parra, Arteaga, Rodriguez, Ibarra, and Cabrera, the latter being an Indian. There are several excellent portraits of illustrious Mexicans in the Sala de Embajadores at the National Palace, most of them having been painted by Segredo and Obregon.