Atlas of Hispanic-American History

SPAIN IN THE AMERICAS 61

Despite having explored much of the Pacific coast in the 16th century, Spain made no
effort to settle it until the 18th century. As had been the case in Texas during the same
period, the impetus for settlement was defensive. Spain found competition for the land
from both Great Britain and Russia, and by settling the land, the Spaniards felt they could
better defend it. The map shown here illustrates the late 18th century expeditions that
paved the way for settlement.

Spanish Exploration of the Western Frontier, 1774–1776

HISPANIC

ICONS:

RETABLOS

Retablos were Hispanic icons usually

painted with organic pigments on

wooden panels of varying sizes.

Always featuring a religious subject,

these paintings were used in both

homes and churches throughout the

Spanish villages of New Mexico.

Not all religious art was painted on

wood. This image of the founder of

the Franciscan Order was painted on

animal hide and used by missionaries

to instruct local Indians in Christianity.

La Purísima Concepción, a California mission(National Park Service)

19th-century hide painting of St.

Francis of Assisi (International

Museum of Folk Art, Santa Fe)

A 19th-century retablo, or religious

painting on wood (private

collection)