Análisis técnico, estético e iconográfico del mural con tierra, del Museo de Arte Moderno en Cuenca

Abstract

This paper analyzes the technique, aesthetics, and iconography of the earthen mural entitled “La Madre Tierra Sana” (Mother Earth Heals) located in the Museum of Modern Art in Cuenca, Ecuador. The research addresses the challenge of understanding how ancestral techniques applied to contemporary muralism can be integrated into the museum setting without losing their symbolic essence or material integrity. The study is justified by the importance of preserving, valuing, and documenting traditional knowledge related to the use of earthen materials as an artistic medium, promoting their relevance in contemporary architecture and public art. This research is relevant for its contribution to heritage conservation, which strengthens cultural identity and encourages the use of sustainable materials in the artistic-architectural field. The main objective is to comprehensively analyze the mural from its technical, aesthetic, and symbolic dimensions. This is a qualitative study, based on a specific case, which has made it possible to identify technical innovations adapted to natural materials, conservation strategies, and an iconographic discourse consistent with the local context.