“Sentimiento Cuzqueño” in the Works of Juan Espinosa Medrano

• In Event: Peruvian circulations, "sentimientos" and neoplatonic currents

Abstract

Scholarship on the mestizo theologian and playwright Juan Espinosa Medrano (1632-1688) centers on tracing the influence of Spanish Baroque authors like Luis de Gongora (1561-1627) or Calderón dela Barca (1600-1681) in his works. In particular, the studies of Luis Cisneros, Pedro Gubovich, and Charles Moore have tried to establish a dialogue between the literary and theological writings of Espinosa Medrano and the theological wars in Europe between the Protestants and Catholics over such concepts as predestination or transubstantiation. It is however my contention that examining the theological and literary works of Epinosa Medrano, within the socio-political environment of Cuzco during the 17th century, might reveal the beginnings of a sentimiento Cuzqueño. This sentiment had as a purpose to claim for Cuzco the same trajectory as that of Rome: from pagan to capital of a Christian Republic. Thus, decentering the Criollo founded city of Lima as the intellectual, religious, and artistic capital of the Viceroyalty of Peru and return to the indigenous and mestizo city of Cuzco its historical place. Moreover, I will show how this sentiment was not only prevalent among mestizos but also Criollos and even the native elite who saw themselves as heirs to Cuzco’s per-Colombian past.

Author

• Martin O Carrion, University of the Sciences