Imágenes y retablos de las cofradías de Buenos Aires colonial

Abstract

The article concerns the issue of religious fraternities in colonial Buenos Aires: their existence and functioning as well as their influence on church furnishing in the region. Discussion begins with a short description of fraternities as religious institutions with emphasis placed on their social and culture-forming aspect. The article then presents a historical outline of the fraternities functioning in Buenos Aires: from the first ones, which appeared as early as in the late 16th century (Fraternity of Our Lady of the Rosary, 1586), to the late colonial ones originating from the 19th century (Fraternity of Souls in Purgatory, 1804). The text also describes chapels belonging to the fraternities and images associated their functioning as well as altars which were placed inside.