The Life and Work of Frei Bernardino de Sahagún: A Study of the Production, Seizure, and Recovery of a Franciscan Missionary’s Works in Colonial New Spain
Frei Bernardino de Sahagún; Intellectual History; Evangelization in New Spain
This thesis explores the various interpretations of Frei Bernardino de Sahagún, a Franciscan missionary active in New Spain in the 16th century, analyzing how his image was constructed and reconstructed over the centuries. The research covers his missionary activities and the challenges of censorship during the colonial period, his recovery by criollo intellectuals in the 18th century, and his significance within the context of 19th-century Mexican nationalism. In the 20th century, Sahagún becomes a central figure for historians and anthropologists, especially within the movement of New Conquest History. The thesis argues that these diverse representations of Sahagún reflect fundamental issues regarding colonization, the role of indigenous peoples, and cultural tensions in Latin America, which remain relevant to this day.