The book takes as a starting point the notion that, since the 19th century, many authors have insisted on characterizing the viceregal period as a time of exploitation and obscurantism. However, it is difficult for the author to maintain such a partial and slated vision of an era that lasted three centuries, for it was during that period that the first symbols of our collective national identity were established. Thus, this book leads us to a better understanding of the history of the colony from a different point of view, from the vision of the history of culture.