JUAN MANUEL DE ÁVILA (active 1753-1765). Novo-Hispanic School, 18th century. "Virgin of Guadalupe". Oil on canvas. Signed in the lower right corner. Carved and gilded frame, of the period. It presents slight damages. Measurements: 99 x 72 cm; 138 x 103 cm (frame). Juan Manuel de Ávila was a Spanish painter who was active in Mexico during the second third of the 18th century. He is known to have painted official portraits of viceroyalty officials, as well as religio paintings, such as the present one. This intensely chromatic and delicately drawn work depicts the Virgin Mary as Guadalupe, immersed in a golden mandorla. The author respects the iconographic patterns of Guadalupe that were established in the 16th century, following models that were initiated by indigeno painters such as Marcos Cípac. Dressed in a blue mantle with stars and a tunic, beneath her feet an angel holds a crescent moon. Around the oval, floral bouquetsplete the decoration. Joining her hands in prayer, she bows her head with a golden crown. She humbly closes her eyes. This particular type of Immaculate Conception shows its Baroque influence in style and iconography, but already introduces some colours in its palette more related to the 18th century, although without varying the previo models to any great extent.Our Lady of Guadalupe is a Marian invocation of the Catholic Church, whose image has its main centre of wor in the Basilica of Guadalupe, in the north of Mexico City. According to Mexican oral tradition, it is believed that the Virgin Mary appeared four times to Saint Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin on the hill of Tepeyac. Juan Diego, in the last apparition of the Virgin, carried in his ayate some flowers that he had cut on Tepeyac, according to the Virgin's order. He unfolded his ayate before Bishop Juan de Zumárraga, revealing the image of the Virgin Mary, a brunette with mestizo features. Since ancient times, the Mesoamerican peoples had already venerated a deity called Tonantzin on the hill of Tepeyac, hence a certain syncretism with the assimilation of the message brought by the Virgin Mary. This event was known as the Miracle of the Roses, and was recorded in the "Nican Mopohua", a text presumably written by the Indian Antonio Valeriano. Since the viceregal period, an outstanding cult has developed around her figure, which is linked to a great artistic production in which the influences of local art can be clearly appreciated over the novelties and artistic traditions brought from Europe, in which a prominent participation of the Sevillian school can be observed, as this city was the centre of trade with America.Dimensions: 99 x 72 cm; 138 x 103 cm (frame).