The Remains of Castas in Latin America

Authors

Susana Escobar Zelaya

Abstract

Casta paintings are a collection of works that were predominantly produced in colonial Mexico. These paintings are a representation of the different classifications of race between Spaniards, Blacks, and Indigenous people. The paintings emphasize clothing and setting as a way to distinguish social and economic standings in regard to race. Casta paintings are more than racial documentation; they are a guide to understanding how ideas and beliefs on race came to be in Latin America. This article explores the origins of casta paintings and their long-lasting impact in Latin America. Casta paintings are investigated in books, academic journals, essays, and lectures. Principle sources include scholarship by Ilona Katzew and Magali Marie Carrera. A major focus is how casta paintings came to be and how the ideas that went into their formation are still present in Latin America.

Recommended Citation

Zelaya, Susana Escobar (2021) "The Remains of Castas in Latin America," Global Insight: Vol. 2, Article 5.
Available at: https://mavmatrix.uta.edu/globalinsight/vol2/iss1/5