The Women of the Hispanic Society | Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz

This year, the Hispanic Society will highlight the female artists, curators, researchers, librarians and writers who have been a part of the Museum & Library throughout its 117-year history with a series of videos. Join us each month for an in-depth look at the life and work of one of these women. In commemoration of the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6th, we pay tribute to Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz (1651-1695), whose work has a special place in the Hispanic Society’s library collection. Born as Juana de Asbaje y Ramírez de Santillana, she nearly taught herself to read and write at an early age, where books were her first “teachers.” In 1659 she moved along with her family to Mexico City and at the age of 16, she entered into the viceregal court, in the service of the viceroy Antonio Sebastián Álvarez de Toledo, second Marquess of Mancera, as a lady-in-waiting for his wife, the Vicereine Leonor Carreto. In 1667 Juana entered the convent of the order of the Discalced Carmelites, but the rigors of this cloistered lifestyle led her to switch to the convent of the order of Saint Jerome, where she continued her studies and writings without interruption. Upon joining the convent, Sor Juana continued her public life, and in the parlor room of the convent, she hosted her friends and visitors, who included other intellectuals, and she remained under the patronage of the viceroys. According to Octavio Paz, these gatherings were true intellectual “tertulias.” Sor Juana was a lover of music and composed numerous melodies and carols commissioned to be sung at the most important cathedrals in the country, such as in Mexico City, and in the cities of Puebla and Oaxaca. Some of her most popular musical productions, including Christmas carols sung at this time of year, can be found in the Hispanic Society’s collection. Sor Juana’s writings reveal her personality as a woman with no equal – 10th Muse and Phoenix of Mexico!!! ___ Visit our website: www.hispanicsociety.org Our History: https://hispanicsociety.org/about-us/ Become a Friend: https://hispanicsociety.org/support_u... Follow us: Instagram:   / hispanic_so.  . Facebook:   / hispanicsociety   Twitter:   / hsamuseum