After the fall of the Inca Empire, many aspects of Inca culture were
systematically destroyed or irrevocably changed by Spanish
conquerors.
LEARNING OBJECTIVE [ edit ]
Explore the effects of the Spanish Conquest on the art and culture of the Inca.
KEY POINTS [ edit ]
Following the Spanish Conquest, the Inca population suffered a dramatic and quick decline
largely due to illness and disease. Many of those remaining were enslaved.
Many aspects of Inca culture were systematically destroyed as cities and towns were pillaged,
resulting in the loss of vast amounts of traditional artwork, craft, and architecture.
The introduction of Christianity greatly impacted the art of the region, which began to reflect
Christian themes alongside and in place of traditional Inca designs.
The Spanish also brought with them new techniques such as oil painting on canvas, which fused
with the artistic traditions of the region.
TERM [ edit ]
irrevocably
Beyond recall; in a manner precluding repeal.
Give us feedback on this content: FULL TEXT [edit ]
The Spanish Conquest of the Inca Empire was catastrophic to the Inca people and culture.
The Inca population suffered a dramatic and quick decline following contact with the
Europeans. This decline was largely due to illness and disease such as smallpox, which is
thought to have been introduced by colonists and conquistadors. It is estimated that parts of
the empire, notably the Central Andes,
suffered a population decline amounting
to a staggering 93% of the preColumbianpopulation by 1591.
As an effect of this conquest, many aspects
of Inca culture were systematically
destroyed or irrevocably changed. In
addition to disease and population
decline, a large portion of the Inca
population - including artisans and crafts
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people - was enslaved and forced to work
in the gold and silver mines . New buildings and cities were built by the Spanish on top of
Inca foundations. Cities and towns were pillaged, along with a vast amount of traditional
artwork, craft, and architecture.
The execution of the Inca
Spaniards burning the Inca leader Atahualpa at the stake, following their conquest of the Inca people.
Beginning at the time of conquest, art of the central Andes region began to change as new
techniques were introduced by the conquerors, such as oil paintings on canvas. The spread of
Christianity had a great influence on both the Inca people and their artwork. As Pizarro and
the Spanish subdued the continent and brought it under their control, they forcefully
converted many to Christianity, and it wasn't long before the entire region was under
Christian influence. As a result, early art from the colonial period began to show influences of
both Christianity and Inca religious themes, and traditional Incastyles of artwork were
adopted and altered by the Spanish to incorporate Christian themes.