Over the centuries, it has found new expressions through the combination of architecture, art, crafts and decorative arts. It has created a lifestyle that reflects and embodies the contemplative mood of the original mission.
The early mission style churches in New Mexico were characterized by primitive simplicity. High walls, heavy doors and few windows were few of the prominent features of this style. Walls were white washed with gypsum coat called ‘yeso’. They were often plastered in natural earth colors such as yellow, red and brown. The walls were colored using clay deposits. Native American artists painted birds, animals and other nature symbols to decorate the walls.
The front doors of churches usually had expressive carvings, applied metal and wooden figures, inlaid panels and painting. Religious art of New Mexico in itself was a great contribution to mission style.
Around 1650, after the colonization of Mexico and New Mexico, architecture style of mission style churches became more ornate and elaborate. Brilliant effects of light, form and color became prominent. Gilded accents in design also became very common.
Contrary to New Mexico, during the early decades, missions of California were extremely simple with sparse furniture and furnishings. There was no trace of New Mexican, unique, religious furniture and art. Later during the Spanish colonial era, by the 19th century, the forms and elements of contemporary Spanish architecture became a part of California missions. Among these were heavily ornate entrances and the wall openings to hang huge bells. Mission Indians also learned the art of painting, stone masonry, black-smithing and wood carving from Mexican artisans. Church interiors of California missions offer divine painted designs, floral and nature motifs and imitation marble or wood grain.
Hispanic furniture such as priest’s heavily upholstered chair, simple side chairs and tables and handcrafted benches imported from Mexico, became popular in California mission.
Mission style invokes memories of exotic cultures of Morocco and North Africa and artistic temperament of virgin California. It is a style with long and rich tradition that is popular even today.
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