Effigies of the Incas

In the captivating 18th century, the so-called “Effigies of the Incas” gained prominence, reviving once again a historical and artistic legacy that merged pre-Hispanic roots with the Spanish heritage in the Viceroyalty of Peru, in the 14th century. These representations, elaborated on canvases and showing the succession of Inca rulers alongside Spanish monarchs, have a profound impact on the narrative of our history.

Discovering the Effigies of the Incas

One of the antecedents of these effigies is found in the paintings commissioned by Viceroy Francisco de Toledo in 1571. These portraits, which represented the twelve Incas up to Huayna Capac, were unfortunately lost over time. However, the legacy continued through other works and authors, such as the mestizo religious Juan Núñez Vela y Ribera. It was he who, with constant effort, managed to found royal colleges for young Indians and gain recognition for indigenous people in society. His vision of the succession of Inca and Spanish crowns, which took root in art, found its most vivid expression in the effigies we know today.

Kings of Peru

One of the most iconic canvases is “Effigies of the Ingas or Kings of Peru with their origin and series of the Catholic kings of Castile and León that have succeeded them until the present that God keeps”. This canvas, conceived by Alonso de Cueva and executed by an anonymous artist of the School of Cuzco in 1728, portrays the succession of Inca rulers and Spanish monarchs. The Inca effigies to Atahualpa give way to the monarchs from Charles V to Philip V, creating a visual and symbolic link between both dynasties. This historical and artistic connection finds an interesting reflection on the covers of our editions of classic Hispanic books about the Incas, among others the Royal Commentaries and The Lordship of the Incas. Just as effigies encapsulate the transition of power, our covers document the iconic presence of the Inca legacy, through the works of authors such as Sarmiento de Gamboa and the Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, to name a few cases. By exploring the Effigies of the Incas and their relationship with these works we enter a territory, in which historical and artistic narratives converge to convey a unique and captivating legacy. In these effigies, we see a bridge between two worlds and a testimony of how history and art can come together to tell a story that transcends borders and eras.

Works and authors

The effigies, over the years, have been mentioned and linked with several authors, collectors and significant historical works:

• Pedro Sarmiento de Gamboa: Author of the Indica History that accompanied the paintings of the twelve Incas to Huayna Capac commissioned by Viceroy Francisco de Toledo.
• Camilo Il Massimo: Collector for whom watercolors related to the Incas were made.
• Fray Martín de Murúa: Author of a book with illustrations related to the Incas.
• Guamán Poma de Ayala: Author of books with illustrations related to the Incas.
• Inca Garcilaso de la Vega: Author of Royal Comments , where he pronounced in the same sense of the succession of the Spanish monarchs to the Incas.
• History of the origin and royal genealogy of the Inca kings of Peru: Martín de Murúa.
• Effigies of the Ingas or Kings of Peru with their origin and series of the Catholic kings of Castile and León that have succeeded them until the present that God keeps: Canvas conceived by Alonso de Cueva and made by an anonymous artist of the School of Cuzco in 1728, showing all the Inca sapas up to Atahualpa and continuing the series of Spanish monarchs from Charles V to Philip V.

The Effigies of the Incas and the historical narratives about that culture converge to convey a unique and captivating legacy. In these effigies, there is a bridge between two worlds and a testimony of how history and art can come together to tell an identity story that transcends borders and eras.