Four painted, wooden sculptures are arranged in a straight line. They are four human figures shown from the waist up. At left is a skeleton, next is a red devilish figure in chains and flames, second is a bare-chested man with fingers clasped in a begging pose, and finally, an angelic figure, in sumptuous clothing, with hands together in a prayer pose.

Attributed to Manuel Chili, called Capiscara (Ecuador, ca. 1723 – Quito, Ecuador, 1796), The Four Fates of Man: Death, Hell, Purgatory, Heaven. New York, The Hispanic Society of America.

Faith and Fortune: Art Across the Global Spanish Empire

June 11 - October 10, 2022.

From the collection of the Hispanic Society Museum & Library

Located on level 2 in Zacks gallery.

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Admission is always FREE for AGO Members, AGO Annual Pass Holders & Visitors 25 and under. Learn more.

EXHIBITION OVERVIEW

Faith and Fortune: Art Across the Global Spanish Empire brings together more than 200 sumptuous and inspiring works of art from Latin America, the Philippines and Spain made between 1492 and 1898.  This exhibition, from the collection of the Hispanic Society Museum & Library, allows us to study critically the mechanics of colonization by examining the visual culture of the Spanish Empire. As artists, books and patrons moved throughout the Empire, the art created was beautiful, highly international and cosmopolitan. Visitors will see Latin American, Filipino and Spanish paintings, sculpture, printed books and textiles alongside each other, revealing the material and artistic connections.

Through the lens of great art, visitors will encounter the global, cross-cultural movement of people, ideas and artforms happening across both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Beginning with the earliest episode of colonization — Columbus’s arrival in the Americas  the exhibition offers visitors important insights into the histories of resource extraction, the spread of Christianity, the development of racial categories and Indigenous resistance to conquest. These four centuries of art provide a unique perspective on the lasting legacies of colonization. 

Organized by the Art Gallery of Ontario


EXHIBITION AUDIO GUIDE

In this audio guide you can listen to the following AGO staff talk about key artworks in the exhibition: Adam Harris Levine, Assistant Curator, European Art, AGO; Gillian McIntyre, Interpretive Planner, AGO; Bianca Weeko Martin, Curatorial Assistant, Arts of Spain, Latin America and the Philippines, AGO; Tahnee Pantig, Guest Curator, Daguerreotypes in the Philippines.

You will also hear from the following community members who have close ties to the countries represented: Russ Patrick Alcedo, Althea Balmes, Niño Flores, Luis Jacob, Julius Poncelet Manapul, Bernardino Martin, and Norma Pantig.


DESCRIPTIVE AUDIO GUIDE

Audio description of artworks help remove barriers to our collections and exhibitions. Artworks will be highlighted through creative audio description, a type of spoken language describing visual images or objects, which enables audiences to engage and pursue their own journey in relation to visual art.

Download the Descriptive Audio Guide Transcript - 115 KB
 


BlindSquare Event App

blindsquare


BlindSquare is a free GPS app developed for the blind, deafblind, and partially sighted. The GPS technology will alert your device to each described audio stop, provide text-to-speech for in-gallery room panels and wayfinding directives in this exhibition. You can download the app from the Apple App Store or by using a QR code onsite. iOS compatible only.


ARTWORKS FROM THE EXHIBITION

Sebastián López de Arteaga. Saint Michael Striking Down the Rebellious Angels, ca. 1650-1652. Oil on copper.

Sebastián López de Arteaga. Saint Michael Striking Down the Rebellious Angels, ca. 1650-1652. Oil on copper, 103.5 x 88 cm. Courtesy of The Hispanic Society of America, New York, NY. Museum Department Purchase, 2014.

Faith and Fortune: Art Across the Global Spanish Empire artwork
Francesco de Zurbarán. Saint Emerentiana (Santa Emerenciana), ca. 1635-1640. Oil on canvas.

Francesco de Zurbarán. Saint Emerentiana (Santa Emerenciana), ca. 1635-1640. Oil on canvas, 171.5 x 105.5 cm. Courtesy of The Hispanic Society of America, New York, NY. Presented to the Hispanic Society by Archer M. Huntington, 1925.

Faith and Fortune: Art Across the Global Spanish Empire artwork
José Agustín Arrieta. El Costeño / The Young Man from the Coast, after 1843. Oil on canvas.

José Agustín Arrieta. El Costeño / The Young Man from the Coast, after 1843. Oil on canvas, Unframed 89 x 71 cm. Courtesy of The Hispanic Society of America, New York, NY Museum Department Purchase, 2013.

Faith and Fortune: Art Across the Global Spanish Empire artwork
Ignacio López Aguado. View of the Plaza and Cathedral of Mexico as it was the Year of 1796 (after José Joaquín Fabregat, Vista de la Plaza de México, 1797), 1810. Paper and dark blue sateen mounted on wood and glass.

Ignacio López Aguado. View of the Plaza and Cathedral of Mexico as it was the Year of 1796 (after José Joaquín Fabregat, Vista de la Plaza de México, 1797), 1810. Paper and dark blue sateen mounted on wood and glass, Unframed 32 x 42 cm. Courtesy of The Hispanic Society of America, New York, NY. Transferred from Department of Iconography to Museum Department, 1977.

Faith and Fortune: Art Across the Global Spanish Empire artwork
Unknown. Coffer, ca. 1650. Barniz de pasto lacquer on wood with silver and gold leaf and silver mounts.

Unknown. Coffer, ca. 1650. Barniz de pasto lacquer on wood with silver and gold leaf and silver mounts, 19.2 x 26 x 12.3 cm. Courtesy of The Hispanic Society of America, New York, NY. Museum Department Purchase, 2002.

Faith and Fortune: Art Across the Global Spanish Empire artwork
Unknown. Pilgrim Flask, ca. 1580. Colorless glass with polychrome enamel and gilding.

Unknown. Pilgrim Flask, ca. 1580. Colorless glass with polychrome enamel and gilding, H 23.5 x D 14.6 cm. Courtesy of The Hispanic Society of America, New York, NY. Acquired by Archer M. Huntington for the Hispanic Society, 1911.

Faith and Fortune: Art Across the Global Spanish Empire artwork

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