Gonzalo Eguiguren Gallery has lent eight works to Bateas novohispanas. Una encrucijada cultural at the Museo de América, Madrid. The exhibition explores the cultural exchanges embodied in the lacquered wooden trays of New Spain, bringing them into dialogue with painting, silverwork and other decorative arts.
Opening: 21 May 2026.
Public visiting dates: 22 May–18 October 2026.
The loans comprise Saint Barbara by Bartolomé de Arenas; a Silver salvilla from Mexico City; Our Lady of Health of Pátzcuaro by José Manuel de la Cerda; an Almohadilla (sewing box); a Batea with Carmelite arms; a Painted batea; a Deep dish with barniz de Pasto; and a Batea from Peribán.
Visit the Museo de América exhibition page
Eight works on loan
Saint Barbara
Bartolomé de Arenas
17th century. Oil and lacquer on canvas. 102 × 75 cm.
On loan to Bateas novohispanas. Una encrucijada cultural
Museo de América, Madrid
Opening: 21 May 2026 · Public visiting dates: 22 May–18 October 2026
Its combination of oil paint and lacquer allows the relationship between painting and decorative techniques in New Spain to be explored.
Silver salvilla
Unidentified silversmith, Mexico City, Viceroyalty of New Spain
1673–1687. Silver, turned, repoussé, forged, pierced and bright-cut. 50.5 × 34.8 × 5 cm.
On loan to Bateas novohispanas. Una encrucijada cultural
Museo de América, Madrid
Opening: 21 May 2026 · Public visiting dates: 22 May–18 October 2026
The piece brings silverwork into the exhibition’s dialogue on the forms, uses and decoration of trays.
Our Lady of Health of Pátzcuaro
José Manuel de la Cerda
Pátzcuaro, Michoacán, Viceroyalty of New Spain. 18th century. Oil on canvas mounted on wood. 33 × 24.5 cm.
On loan to Bateas novohispanas. Una encrucijada cultural
Museo de América, Madrid
Opening: 21 May 2026 · Public visiting dates: 22 May–18 October 2026
José Manuel de la Cerda’s painting extends the exhibition’s scope to devotional painting and the artistic culture of Pátzcuaro.
Almohadilla (sewing box)
Unidentified maker, Pátzcuaro, Viceroyalty of New Spain
c. 1820. Lacquered wood and silver fittings. 14 × 42 × 12 cm.
On loan to Bateas novohispanas. Una encrucijada cultural
Museo de América, Madrid
Opening: 21 May 2026 · Public visiting dates: 22 May–18 October 2026
This sewing box places Pátzcuaro lacquer within the setting of furniture and domestic objects.
Batea with Carmelite arms
Unidentified artist, Viceroyalty of New Spain
18th century. Polychromed wood (falso maque). 10 × 68.5 × 66.5 cm.
On loan to Bateas novohispanas. Una encrucijada cultural
Museo de América, Madrid
Opening: 21 May 2026 · Public visiting dates: 22 May–18 October 2026
Its Carmelite coat of arms, floral decoration and inscription “Para el Sabado de Gloria” connect falso maque with religious observance in New Spain.
Painted batea
Unidentified artist, Viceroyalty of New Spain
17th century. Polychromed wood. 48.5 × 47 × 8.5 cm.
On loan to Bateas novohispanas. Una encrucijada cultural
Museo de América, Madrid
Opening: 21 May 2026 · Public visiting dates: 22 May–18 October 2026
Three rampant animals and four stylised flowers form a rhythmic composition on a dark ground, painted in imitation of Michoacán lacquerware.
Deep dish with barniz de Pasto
Unidentified maker, Pasto, Viceroyalty of Peru
18th century. Wood with applied mopa-mopa resin. Diameter: 37.5 cm.
On loan to Bateas novohispanas. Una encrucijada cultural
Museo de América, Madrid
Opening: 21 May 2026 · Public visiting dates: 22 May–18 October 2026
Barniz de Pasto, made with mopa-mopa resin, extends the comparison to other American traditions of decorating wood.
Batea from Peribán
Unidentified maker, Peribán, Viceroyalty of New Spain
17th century. Lacquered wood. Diameter: 57 cm.
On loan to Bateas novohispanas. Una encrucijada cultural
Museo de América, Madrid
Opening: 21 May 2026 · Public visiting dates: 22 May–18 October 2026
The tray represents the Peribán tradition within the exhibition’s study of New Spain’s lacquer production centres.