Final answer:
The genre of painting reflecting inter-ethnic mixing in New Spain is known as Casta paintings. Option A is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
The genre of painting that seeks to document the inter-ethnic mixing occurring in New Spain among Europeans, indigenous peoples, Africans, and the existing mixed-race population is known as Casta paintings. These paintings emerged in the 18th century and were created as detailed sets to represent the racial hierarchy and diversity of Spanish America. They depict family groups with parents of different races and their children, often with labels specifying their racial mix and social status. Casta paintings reflect the complex social structure of the time, where people were categorized based on their race and ethnicity, a system influenced by Spanish colonialism and the desire of colonial society to understand and manage their diverse population.
Known artists such as Cristóbal de Villalpando and Juan Correa, though not of purely Spanish origin, contributed significantly to this genre. The paintings were often ordered by the upper class and showcased a range of subjects including racial hierarchies, cultural mixtures, and socioeconomic positions, within the colonial context of the New World. They are seen not only as artistic expressions but also as documents that illustrate historical socioeconomic positions connected to race and class in the Viceroyalty of New Spain.