Around the World in 180 Days with D and N: Some Quito Museums

The Colonial Museum contains a large number of objects from the "Quito School" of art. When the Spanish arrived and began building churches, they initially obtained decorations for these churches from Spain, but the number of churches quickly outpaced the availability of these imports. Spanish experts began training indigenous artists to meet the demand. The resulting "Quito School" is known for the excellence of the wood carvings and oil paintings of this group. The churches still contain much of their work, but a good representation is displayed in the Colonial Museum.

Large Carving by the "Quito School"

Carved Wooden Altar

Painting of Santa Mariana de Jesus, Also Known as "Mariana of the Lillies", the First Ecuadorean Saint

Oil Painting of the Holy Family. The Donors of the Works Often Had Their Portraits Included in the Painting

Carving of the Flight into Egypt

We stopped for lunch and to view an exhibit at the Centro Cultural Metropolitano. The building, originally constructed by the Jesuits in the 17th Century, later became a public university after the Jesuits were banished. It then became an army headquarters for the Spanish troops. Today it hosts a number of specialized libraries as well as museums. While we were having lunch, a number of people began arriving, some with television cameras and equipment. There was an increased level of milling around. They were going to be filming a program for Italian television the next day. We still aren't sure what exactly was going on. Again, just one of the mysteries of travel.

The Italians Arriving

What's It All About? Darned If We Know!

Part of a Large Exhibit by an Artist Named Miguel Varea. A Very Big Painting of a Computer Keyboard and Screen

Another Miguel Varea

A third interesting museum, the Museum of the City, is housed in a building which functioned as a hospital for over 400 years, until 1972. The hospital was founded by the Belem, or Bethlehem Order, and furnished lodging to travelers as well as treating the sick. The museum displays exhibits of everyday life in Quito over the centuries, including displays of its hospital time.