Archangel Arcabucero Appraisal

Archangel Arcabucero Oil Painting

This is a large-scale oil on canvas painting depicting a 'Cuzco School' style Archangel Arcabucero (Arquebusier Angel). The figure is dressed in elaborate 17th-century Spanish viceregal attire, featuring a wide-brimmed feathered hat, excessively voluminous patterned sleeves in red and gold brocade, and delicate lace cuffs. The angel holds a long arquebus (early firearm) in a stylized pose characteristic of the Spanish Baroque influence in Latin America. The color palette is rich, utilizing deep reds, blues, and bright gold leaf (estofado) accents throughout the garment patterns. The work is housed in a highly ornate, hand-carved, and gilded wooden frame featuring a repeating 'honeycomb' or scalloped deep-relief pattern with small circular medallions. The frame's gilding shows minor signs of aging and dust accumulation but remains largely intact. The canvas appears to be in good stable condition with no obvious tears or significant craquelure visible from the primary perspective. The style suggests it is a mid-to-late 20th-century revival piece following the traditional colonial religious art movements of the Peruvian Andes. The craftsmanship is high, particularly in the detailed textile rendering and the complexity of the custom frame.