How did Spanish and Portuguese colonization change visual art in Latin America?

Spanish and Portuguese colonization fundamentally transformed visual art in Latin America by introducing European traditions, including painting and sculpture styles dating back to antiquity, which were then adapted by local artists.1

The arrival of Europeans initiated a synthesis of cultures. While colonial art was initially dominated by religious themes and European styles like Mannerism and later the Baroque, indigenous and mestizo artists began modifying these imports to reflect their own identities, environments, and histories.2134

Key changes included:
* Stylistic Adaptation: Artists incorporated local landscapes, flora, and fauna into European-derived compositions.24
* Cultural Synthesis: Indigenous painters, such as those in the Cuzco school, blended European techniques with traditional geometric abstractions and local iconography.4
* New Subject Matter: Beyond religious art, artists began documenting contemporary Latin American events, such as viceregal processions, and historical moments, while also creating portraits of local nobility and Inca kings.234
* Diverse Influences: The region’s art was further enriched by the presence of African visual traditions brought by enslaved people, as well as artistic formats introduced through global trade, such as Japanese-style folding screens.213