Source: WTL© digital photograph (2008) taken in the Catedral de Santiago de Guatemala.
Comments: This is the cathedral's most significant side altar. It is a crucifix of the Cristo de Esquipulas. It is known as the Black Christ of Esquipulas because the original crucifix is in the cathedral in the Guatemalan city of Esquipulas. For many Catholics, the black color of the wood crucifix, which has existed for more than four hundred years, reminds Catholics of the dark skin of the native peoples of Guatemala and Mesoamerica. The feast day for this Christ is January 15th. Since many Central Americans now live in the United States, the feast day is also observed in cities such as, Los Angeles and New York.
Humanities issues: (A) Analyze this crucifix in terms of its aesthetic style. (B) In what way does this crucifix illustrate the Latin American humanities theme of syncretism?