Pre-Columbian ArtPre-Columbian Art

Group :•Kat

•Joanna•Mandy•Eu Jiang•Melissa

In general…In general…

Pre-Columbian art refers to the time in the Americans prior to the arrival of the European colonizers in the 16th Century.

Pre-Columbian art thrived from1800 BC to AD 1500.

Certain characteristics repeated throughout the region: angular, linear patterns, and three-dimensional ceramics.

Mesoamerica and Central Mesoamerica and Central AmericaAmericaCultures generally divided into three periods:◦Pre-Classic (up to 200 AD)

◦Classic ( about 200 AD to 900 AD)

◦Post-Classic (about 900 AD to 1580)

Pre-Classic period (up to 200 Pre-Classic period (up to 200 AD)AD)The most dominant civilization of this

period was the Olmecs, which flourished from 1200 AD to 400 BC.

The Olmec lived in the tropical lowlands of south-central Mexico, in what are roughly the modern-day states of Veracruz and Tabasco.

Most of Olmec art is naturalistic (most notably ‘The Wrestler’)

The Olmecs created heavy-featured, colossal heads, up to 2 meters (8 ft) high. The heads were carved from single blocks or boulders of volcanic basalt, found in the Tuxtlas Mountains.

Photo of Olmec Head number 6 from San Lorenzo

The twisted arms give the statue a sense of movement.

Some believe that this is a shaman rather than a wrestler.

Many researchers consider it an early work, dated as early as 1200 BCE. However, others consign it belonging to a period closer to 400 BCE, the end of the Olmec culture.

A famous work from the Olmec culture, “The Wrestler”

Classic Period Classic Period (about 200 AD – (about 200 AD – 900 AD)900 AD)The most dominant culture of this

period was the Mayans.Practiced their own forms

of hieroglyphic writing and astronomy. Mayan art consequently focuses on rain, agriculture, and fertility.

Usage of relief and surface decoration, as well as some sculpture. 

Glyphs and stylized figures were used to decorate architecture such as the pyramid temple of Chichén Itzá. Murals dating from about AD 750.

CHICHÉN ITZÁCHICHÉN ITZÁChichen Itza was a major regional focal point in the northern Maya lowlands. The site exhibits a multitude of architectural styles, from what is called “Mexicanized” and reminiscent of styles seen in central Mexico to the Puuc style found among the Puuc Maya of the northern lowlands.

RELIEF OF SHIELD RELIEF OF SHIELD JAGUAR AND LADY XOCJAGUAR AND LADY XOCOne of the Yaxchilan Lintels.

The text of Maya hieroglyphics indicates that the scene depicted is a bloodletting ritual that took place.

The ruler, Shield Jaguar, holds a torch while his consort, Lady Xoc, pulls a rope studded with what are now believed to be obsidian shards through her tongue in order to conjure a vision serpent.

VESSEL WITH VESSEL WITH MYTHOLOGICAL SCENEMYTHOLOGICAL SCENE

A monochrome painting or drawing: called the "codex style," because of its similarity to that of the few Pre-Columbian Maya books, or codices, that exist today. 

Depicts dancing figure holding a long-handled axe and a raised hand stone. In front of him on a monster-head altar lies a deity figure known today as Baby Jaguar.

While the scene has been interpreted as one of sacrifice, another interpretation holds that it is one of celebration.

Post-Classic Period Post-Classic Period (about 900 AD (about 900 AD to 1580)to 1580)

10th- 12th CenturiesDominant cultures: Toltec, Mixtec,

and AztecThe Post-Classic Period was marked by

the apparent breakup of the old Classic Period cultures, with their distinctive art and architectural styles.

During the Post-Classic Period, fortifications and warlike themes begin to show a more militaristic attitude.

TOLTECSTOLTECS

“The Atlantes” - columns in the form of Toltec warriors in Tula.