Two Mexican Reinterpretations of Neo-Gothic Architecture
摘要
This chapter analyzes two significant reinterpretations of Neo-Gothic architecture in Mexico, where local creativity, vernacular tradition, and symbolic innovation converged to produce unique religious buildings. The first case is the Temple of Our Lady of the Rosary in Guadalajara, built in the 1950s, which combines traditional Neo-Gothic structure with an iconographic program deeply rooted in Mexican religiosity. Particularly notable is the exterior relief frieze depicting the Mysteries of the Rosary, incorporating popular figures such as mariachi musicians—a rare fusion of liturgical narrative and national imagery that exemplifies a localized reinterpretation of the Gothic aesthetic. The second example is the iconic tower of the Parish Church of San Miguel Arcángel in San Miguel de Allende, attributed to local master builder Zeferino Gutiérrez Muñoz. Far from being a mere copy, this tower constitutes a vernacular and imaginative vision of Neo-Gothic forms, emerging from the builder’s personal interpretation rather than academic training or direct European models. Through these two case studies, the chapter underscores the agency of local actors in shaping Mexican Neo-Gothic, revealing it as a dynamic style capable of being adapted to new symbolic, cultural, and popular functions.