Arts of the Americas

Mesoamerica

Olmec Art

Colossal Head

La Venta, Mexico

900-400 B.C.E.basalt9 ft. 4 in. high.

Olmecs -mother civilization of the Americas.

1st organized community known

Gigantic Heads, idealized rules

Weigh 10 tons

Blend animal and human features in their artwork

Back is flat-displayed against temple wall

aerial view of Teotihuacán

Pyramid of the Moon (foreground)Pyramid of the Sun (top left)Citadel (background)

Valley of Mexico, Mexico

structures ca. 50-200

detail of the Temple of Quetzalcóatl

The Citadel, TeotihuacánValley of Mexico, Mexico

3rd century

Mayan Art 250BCE -1251 CE

Mayans were known for agricultural production in Yucatan rain forest

Densely built cities

Advanced writing, astronomy, architecture, math

Elaborate religious rituals, blood letting, and human sacrifices

Elevated roads

Carved steles commemorated these rituals

Maya- Guatemala

Stele D portraying the ruler 18-Rabbit

Great Plaza at Copán, Honduras

736stone11 ft. 9 in. high

Ball Court

Middle Plaza at Copán, Honduras

738

Ball Court

Middle Plaza at Copán, Honduras

738

View of Temples I & II from Temple IV

Tikal, Petén, Guatemala

ca. 741212 ft. high

Temple I

Tikal, Petén, Guatemala

ca. 732145 ft. high

Ballplayer

from Jaina Island, Mexico

700-900painted clay6 1/4 in. high

Cosmic Ball Game

Defining characteristic of Mesoamerican society

Long rectagular court

Padded players hit ball with elbows, knees, or hips

Stone rings in walls were goals

Common subject in sculpture

Ball represented???

Presentation of captives to Lord Chan Muwan

Room 2, Structure 1, Bonampak, Mexico

ca. 790muralapproximately 17 x 15 ft.

Shield Jaguar and Lady Xoc

from Lintel 24, Temple 23Yaxchilán, Mexico

ca. 725limestone3 ft. 7 in. x 2 ft. 6 1/2 in.

The Caracol (foreground) and the Castillo (background)

Chichén Itzá, Yucatán, Mexico

ca. 800-900

The Castillo

Chichén Itzá, Yucatán, Mexico

ca. 800-900

The Caracol

Chichén Itzá, Yucatán, Mexico

ca. 800-900

South America

Embroidered funerary mantle

from southern coast of Peru

first century C.E.plain weave camelid fiber with stem-stitch embroidery with camelid wool4 ft. 7 7/8 in. x 7 ft. 10 7/8 in.

Moche Art

Ear Ornament

from a tomb at Sípan, Peru

ca. 300gold and turquoiseapproximately 4 7/8 in. wide

North America

Mississippian Art

Serpent Mound

Adams County, Ohio

ca. 10701200 ft. long, 20 ft. wide, 5 ft. high

Anasazi Art

Cliff Dwelling

Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado

ca. 1150-1300