William Monsanto
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This illustrious old woman is one of the artistic figures that have transcended her time. She had to flow in a period in which women had many limitations of action, which she managed to overcome due to her social position and her well-defined personality.
In literature and the fine arts there were other pioneers who, like her, managed to break the fence that was imposed on women in the 19th century. As far as is known, Luna de Herrera managed, without social transgressions and for a long period of time, to expose her ideas without major opposition. In fact, from a very young age, she was considered a renowned artist.
As a disciple of Francisco Cabrera, she acquired comprehensive training in drawing, engraving and painting that led to different expressive genres. Her tutor being a famous physician and herself a practicing artist, she is known to have executed portraits of various physicians.
As a disciple of Francisco Cabrera, she acquired comprehensive training in drawing.
He also prepared records, which today are located in Germany, of the archaeological remains located on family farms.
Among his public commissions, it stands out that in 1854 he restored the portrait of Don Pedro de Alvarado, located today in the Metropolitan Municipality. Action that marks her as an established professional and that, by the way, she handled color integration theories. For this work she was awarded a gold medal.
To what has been pointed out, it is added that its Evangelists: San Juan and San Marcos, of large dimensions; they are exhibited on the pendentive of the central dome of La Merced in La Antigua Guatemala. His closeness to the Mercedarian order is clear from the number of oil paintings inspired by works and images located in the capital’s temple. The other two were painted by Sister Ignacia Santa Cruz, an artist little explored.
His work on La Virgen de la Asunción, in a private collection, may come from the existing carving in the aforementioned church. Another interesting composition is his Virgin Mary, health of the sick, and which has illustrative elements related to the preparation of medicines. Today it is located in a private collection, but at the time it could well have been in some kind of scientific cabinet.
El dulce corazón de María and El Sagrado Corazón de Jesús, in private hands, reflect the understanding that the author had regarding the canons of Guatemalan colonial painting. The works shine for their mystical preparation and for the beauty given to the characters.
It is also traditionally said that she created the map of La Antigua whose copies still circulate. It is probable that there are more works in private hands and that, hopefully, there are other examples in the churches of Guatemala.
Among his work, he highlighted his handling of the portrait (including some self-portraits), miniatures and various expressions of mystical inspiration. Both her personality and her legacy can be studied in the document Delfina Luna Soto de Herrera, by Silvia Herrera Ubico.
