ART OF THE AMERICAS AFTER 1300 AZTECS Tenochtitlan and the Codex Mendoza The Great Pyramid Religious Sculpture: iconography and style Featherwork INCAS Masonry techniques Machu Picchu: city-sanctuary Textiles: between fashion and writing
The Aztec Empire When we saw so many cities and villages built on the water and other great towns and that straight and level causeway going towards [Tenochtitlan], we were amazed on account of the great towers and [temples] and buildings raising from the water, and all built of masonry. And some of our soldiers even asked whether the things that we saw were not a dream
First page of a codex by Aztec artists for the Spanish viceroy The Founding of Tenochtitlan, from Codex Mendoza. Aztec, 16th century. Ink and color on paper, h. 12 3/8, University of Oxford
Symbolic illustration of the founding and ideal map of the capital: Legend of Eagle and pear cactus (tenochtili) City divided into 4 quarters by waterways The Founding of Tenochtitlan, from Codex Mendoza. Aztec, 16th century. Ink and color on paper, h. 12 3/8, University of Oxford
Quarters and wards
Aztec conquests
Great Pyramid for human sacrifices (in the sacred precinct)
Reconstruction of Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Aztecs - the centre of modern Mexico City. (National Museum of Anthropology of Mexico City)
Mexico City, Excavated remains of the Main Temple in the Sacred Precinct of Tenochtitlan
In the temple of Huitzilopochtli? Iconography: Twisted serpent skirt (meaning of Coatlicue) clawed hands and feet 2 serpents form her head (1 eye each, their mouths her mouth) Necklace of human body parts + a skull The Goddess Coatlicue, Aztec, 1487-1520. Basalt, h. 8 6, Museo Nacional de Antropologia, Mexico City
Head of a Water Deity, 15th early 16th century Mexico; Aztec Basalt
Coiled Serpent, 15th early 16th century Mexico; Aztec Stone
Deity Figure (Cihuateotl), 15th early 16th century Mexico; Aztec Stone
Form: intricate yet simple/solid, originally colored, frontal, symmetrical Described as covered by blood The Goddess Coatlicue, Aztec, 1487-1520. Basalt, h. 8 6, Museo Nacional de Antropologia, Mexico City
Importance of color in sculpture, architecture and fashion Moctezuma s gift to Cortes (known as Moctezuma s Crown) Feathers of a variety of birds - reed frame High status of featherworkers Ceremonial use: re Feather Headdress of Moctezuma, before 1519, Quetzal, macaw parrot and other feathers on a reed frame, Vienna
16th cent. Inca empire one of the largest of the world (expansion 15th cent.) Ethnically and linguistically diverse - strong unifying religion, bureaucracy, taxes Immediate distruction Capital: Cuzco, Andes Mountains
Cuzco: praised for masonry buildings, still existent in the modern city Wall of the Golden Enclosure (surmounted by the church of Santo Domingo), Inca, Cuzco, Peru, 15th century.
2 kinds: rectangular or irregular blocks Tightly fit, no mortar http://mediaplayer.pearsoncmg.com/media_flash_set.width.300 set.height.420 set.title.inca_masonry /p h/hss/ssa_shared_media_1/art/archsim/incairregular-b.mov
Machu Picchu, Peru. Inca, 1450-1530,
:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beyzxu3mw-y
Terrace construction On Hiram Bingham and the archaeological discovery: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/inca/machu_picchu.html
Ancient tradition of textile production in the Andes Clothing more valued than gold No writing: history, accounts, kept on QUIPU, knotted and colored cords Complex math Compared to computer language Tunic, Inca, c. 1500, Wool and cotton, h. Mantle -- Peru, Paracas 35 7/8 NECROPOLIS 200 BCE - 200 CE
Formal: variety of colors, complex geometric designs Clothing not tailored but woven into rectangular shapes Not only regular clothing (tunics, belts, mantles, long dresses, bags) Checkerboard= military officer But also military, religious Here: each square = one tunic Iconography of patterns Color/motifs are standardize --> recognizable 4 parts = Inca empire called Land of the 4 Quarters