Cristóbal de Villalpando

Cristóbal de Villalpando (ca. 1649 – 20 August 1714) was a Mexican painter, arts administrator and captain of the guard. He painted prolifically and produced many Baroque works visible in several Mexican cathedrals, including the cathedrals in Querétaro and Mexico City, as well as a famous 1695 picture of the main square or Zócalo of Mexico City, showing the damage of the 1692 riot to the viceregal palace.

Born in Mexico City to the influential Villalpando family, he assumed duties in the local militia as an ensign, as well as painting with Baltasar de Echave Rioja (Echave the Younger) in the Echave workshop. In 1669, he married María de Mendoza, and fathered four children. Early on he received several religious commissions, both in Mexico City and in Puebla. Well preserved are his paintings in the sacristy of the Mexico City Cathedral.

Villalpando rose socially as well as militarily, gaining the rank of captain and served several times as director (veedor) of the painters' guild.

Villalpando's self-portrait appears in his Apparition of Saint Michael on Mount Gargano in the sacristy of the Mexico City cathedral. His portrait is nested among the clergy at the bottom right. He died in Mexico City in 1714 and was buried there.

Villalpando's early works attest to the influence of Peter Paul Rubens; however, as his style continued to develop, he moved away from the extremes of vivid coloring and excessive robustness to a more measured style, using a broad palette and incorporating more of the New World painting traditions. In his later work he moved away from uniform luminosity, employing greater contrast and placing artificial light sources within his paintings to add a touch of drama. His work was much emulated.

Villalpando tailored his style to the nature of the work and to its patron. He employed rough blots and smudges to good effect, but used meticulous brushstrokes when required.

Villalpando's early works include a number for the Puebla Cathedral, including a large painting of The Transfiguration – climaxing with the Assumption of the Virgin on the inside of the dome of the apse chapel, which included themes from the eucharist. For the sacristy of the Mexico City cathedral he painted

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