Mexican monasteries on the border of three scientific disciplines: history, art history and anthropology
Abstract
The subject of this study presents the Mexican monastic architecture that originated in 16th century New Spain in the territory of Central Mexico with the aim to christianize the native peoples of America.First, the text presents briefly this unique architecture and paying attention to its changes over time too. The basis of the study is the data obtained in 2013 during the field research carried out in the territory of Central Mexico.
Within the research a complex set of monasteries was explored. The methodology of the text is based on interdisciplinary apporach and it combines the perspectives of three scientific disciplines: history, art History and anthropology.
The text aims to explore not only the changes of Mexican monastic architecture over the time but also the possibilities of its examination from the point of view of various scientific disciplines. In conclusion, the possibilities and boundaries of interdisciplinarity are questioned, specifically the anthropological approaches and their use in the history of art.