1. Defining Race and Gender Relations in Colonial Latin America
Casta Paintings
Defining Race and Gender Relations in Colonial Latin America

2. Origins of “Casta”
Casta is an Iberian word (Spanish, Portuguese) meaning “lineage”, “breed” or “race.” Answer for # 1
During the Spanish colonial period, Spaniards developed a caste (class) system based on race, which determined a person’s importance and role in society.

3. Defining castas in Latin America
During the conquest of the Americas, most people fell into four distinct ethnic/racial groups: Peninsular Spaniards, Creoles, Native Americans, and Africans. Answer for 2A
By the early 17th century, these categories broke down quickly and new castas (classes) were being defined. Some estimates place the total number of castas in use in colonial Latin America at sixty or more. Answer for 2B

4. Casta paintings generally appear in groups of 16 portraits that trace the complex racial mixing of the people in New Spain.

5. Casta Paintings
Casta paintings are part of the 18th century artistic tradition of Colonial Mexico.
Each painting depicts a couple along with one or two children.
An inscription describing the ethnic and racial make up of the mother, the father, and the child(ren) is usually apparent.

6. How to Analyze Casta Paintings
What Do You See?
(Observations)
What Do Observations Mean?
Who is in the painting?
What are they doing?
What are they wearing?
How does their environment look?
Are the males & females doing similar or different things?
Do actions depend on race?
Do clothing & environments change depending on race & class?

7. #1 - Spaniard & Native Create Mestizo

8. #2 - Spaniard & Mestiza Create Castiza

9. #3 - African & Spaniard Create Mulatto

10. #4 - Mestizo & Indian Create Coyote

11. #5 - Mulatto & Spaniard Create Morisco

12. #6 - Spaniard & Morisca Create Albino

13. #7 - Spaniard & Albino Create Black-Return-Backwards

14. #8 - African & Indian Create Wolf

15. #9 - Wolf & Indian Create Zambaiga

16. #10 – Zambaigo & Indian Create Albarazado

17. What do the Casta Paintings tell us about race & gender?
Turn & Talk with someone at your table.
Share your observations and analysis of the Casta paintings.
What did you notice about race, gender, & class?

18. What do Casta Paintings show?
Paintings suggest typical clothing for
different social classes

19. Reveal details of buildings, home life, & environments.
Present depictions of everyday objects, native flora and fauna, and foodstuffs

22. Key Question
Why do you think the Spanish spent so much time and effort defining the different castas?
Write down answer & be prepared to share it!

23. Maintaining social and political control in Colonial New Spain
Although the use and purpose of
Casta Paintings remains uncertain, these generally
suggest the fascination with race and limpieza de
sangre (purity of blood) that characterized colonial
mentalities. Spaniards used their elaborate system
of classification to maintain social and political
control, allowing the “pureblooded” to hold the
top position in colonial society.