Cusco school is a style of art that is characterized by a bright color palette, flattened forms, Andean Flora and fauna, indigenous symbolism, and gold leaf. This style of art is also referred to as Cusqueña style and is based out of Cusco, Peru, which was the former capital of the Inca Empire. The Cusco style was developed in conjunction with the Spanish Conquest of Peru. From the 16th century until the 18th century, European artists worked with indigenous artists during the Viceroyalty of Peru. The subject matter of Cusquena style was often related to Catholicism with the Virgin Mary often being the main figure, but not always. This was because the Spanish aimed to convert the Incas into Catholicism. Thus, the artwork was often religious with an incorporation of indigenous iconography. Most of the artwork that was produced is anonymous, but there are several artists that produced pieces in Cusqueña style. Some of those artists were Bernardo Bitti and Marcos Zapata. One of the first European artist in Cusco to train indigenous artists was Juan Iñigo de Loyola. Juan Iñigo de Loyola taught these artists how to paint in the style of Spanish Mannerism. However, it is Bernardo Bitti, an Italian artist, who is often credited for pioneering the Cusco movement in the style of mannerism. Although the style of art was European dominant, many Cusco artists were of Inca origin where indigenous elements were incorporated within their artwork.