Saint Teresa of Avila,18th century. Artist unknown, Cuzco school, Peru. Oil on canvas: 50" x 42" without frame. Purchased with funds provided by Dr. Jason Bacon, by exchange						2 of 2
	y the latter half of the 16th century, the drastic drop in Indian population due to epidemics and maltreatment by the Spanish led to a severe shortage of native craftsmen and artisans. Native artistic traditions waned as did the influence of early mendicant friars who had come to New Spain hoping to build a utopian Christian society.The creation of works of art now depended primarily on rich Spanish patrons, both religious and secular, to finance buildings, churches, altarpieces, and paintings. Wealthy patrons imposed their own European tastes throughout the colonial period. Numbers of European-trained artists settled in the Americas and established guilds. The painters’ guild was founded in 1557; the carpenters’ guild (including woodcarvers, joiners, and musical instrument makers) was founded in 1568. Embroidery and pottery guilds were also organized. Guilds did not exclude Indian artists, but they formalized European control over accepted styles and techniques.