De Espanol, y Negra, Mulat

This Casta painting (circa 1775) by the Spanish artist, Fransisco Clapera,  gives a picture of a family in New Spain. The painting shows a smiling child as he plays with his dad, while his mother appears to be watching over him in a caring way, ensuring he doesn’t hit his head. The family dynamic depicted in the Casta painting highlights the harmonious culture of New Spain. There is a great family dynamic, but what other unspoken dynamics and stories are shown? This painting exemplifies the mixing and blending of races in marriage. The family dynamic of a fair-skinned man married to an indigenous woman and the clear contrast between the shades of their skin show emphasis of the painting on race.