The Church of the Immaculate Conception (Las Monjas), San Miguel de Allende
Original painting on paper • Beatriz Ezquerra (Mexican, contemporary)
Style & Movement
Expressive Impressionism / Plein Air Narrative
Medium & Technique
Watercolor and ink on paper; utilizes fluid washes and loose wet-on-dry line work
Creation Period
1995 (dated lower right)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 12 x 16 inches (sheet), Portrait orientation
Subject Description
A vibrant depiction of the Templo de la Inmaculada Concepción in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico. The composition focuses on the architectural dome (cúpula) and the ornate churrigueresque facade, featuring pedestrians at the base and birds in the sky, captured in warm yellow and golden tones.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good; colors appear vibrant with no immediate signs of significant foxing or paper degradation
Estimated Market Value
$300 - $600 USD
Auction Estimate
$200 - $400 USD
Provenance History
Private collection; likely acquired in San Miguel de Allende, a prominent art colony where the artist was active
Art Historical Significance
The work represents the late 20th-century tradition of expatriate and local artists in San Miguel de Allende. It reflects the region's unique light and colonial architecture, serving as a cultural document of the city's artistic boom in the 1990s.
Notable Features
Signed and dated '95' lower right; inscribed 'SN. Miguel Allende' lower left. Notable for the use of bright primary yellows and whimsical balloon-like shapes in the lower right foreground.
Condition Issues
Minor potential for paper acidity if not matted with acid-free materials; slight reflection in glazing suggest non-museum glass which may allow UV entry.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional reframing with UV-protective museum glass and acid-free archival matting to prevent fading of watercolor pigments.