Before the Spanish Came to Harlem

In most cases, one learns about art through a history class, but what about learning about history through an art exhibition? Thats where Nueva York (1613 – 1945) comes in. This exhibition is a collaboration between El Museo del Barrio, which was our orientation venue, and the New-York Historical Society to present the Hispanic aspects of immigration and culture in relation to New York through a unique collection of artifacts,  paintings, political cartoons, clothing, music, books, and photographs. Normally, the growth of New York is viewed from east to west with Dutch colonization, but Nueva York explores the history of the city in a longitudinal perspective,- from New York to Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America. Not only does it expand one’s understanding of the connection between Spain and New York, but it makes clear that the relationship between two places started three hundred years prior to the perceived start, post-World War II. Another fact I found interesting is that Spain’s influence proved to be immense. The exhibit also reveals that New York’s first Roman Catholic church, St. Peter’s, authorized in 1785, was funded by Spain’s Carlos III, Mexican silver barons, and the archbishops of Puebla and Mexico City.  The exhibit is great for those who want to learn more about Spanish influence in Manhattan and is available through January 9.

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