La defensa de la “liberalidad de las artes” en el virreinato de la Nueva España en el siglo XVIII

Abstract

Artículo que aborda la problemática de tres gremios en el virreinato de la Nueva España: el de los pintores, el de los figoneros y el de los amoladores durante el siglo XVIII, particularmente la defensa que emprenden por la liberalidad de las artes. En este sentido, el concepto se convierte en un argumento por defender sus respectivos oficios para así conseguir mejores beneficios económicos y poder adquirir un estatus social que les permitiera encumbrarse por encima de los oficios considerados “manuales”.

This article studies the labor problems of three guilds: painters, figoneros (keeper of an eating house) and the amoladores (grinders) in Mexico City, capital of the Viceroyalty of New Spain during the first half of 18th century. The defense of the liberality of the arts is particularly emphasized as an ideological topic used mainly by painters and other artist; however, as a result of the location of two documents, it can be verified that it became an argument used also by the members of other guilds. In this sense, it is analyzed how this concept becomes an argument to defend their respective professions in order to achieve better economic benefits and to acquire a social status that would allow them to rise above the trades considered «manual».