ALEC: Classic Maya

During the years 250 to 900 A.D. the Maya civilisation went through what was known as the ‘Classic Maya’ period. During this period the Maya saw unbridled progress in the three main areas of; construction, urbanisation and recording. Their culture was at its peak both intellectually and artistically. Their array of art included, carved stone blocks, stucco reliefs, terracotta figurines, pottery (inspired by Peruvian pottery) paintings and the discovery of their very own colour, azul Maya (Maya blue).

Within Maya architecture many of the walls, floors and ceilings were covered in smooth, redy-cream coloured stucco which glistened in the tropical sun. This technique was very beautiful Maya architectural characteristic, enhancing a structures aesthetic appearance; unfortunately the stucco did not retain its original form and is now just a red textuary hue. The Maya often carved messages into stone slabs referred to as ‘stelae’ or tree stones. These carvings depicted previous rulers, genealogy, military victories and other achievements using both symbols and hieroglyphic text.

As trading with other Mesoamerican cultures expanded so to did their artistic influences. Paintings found in convents of colonial Mexico are a mix of European and Indian techniques which blended elements such as line, shape, proportion and colour; this was sometimes known as ‘Arte Indocristiano’. Within these paintings appeared a beautiful blue-green pigment consisting of organic and inorganic materials known as azul Blue or Maya blue. Researchers say that the pigment is derived from a combination of Anil leaves, palygorskite, pigments of indigo and an exposure to low temperatures. The colour is very stable and retains much of its tone after thousands of years exposed to harsh weather conditions of Mexico. The colour originated around 800 A.D. and was used frequently in paintings, stone carvings and rituals up until 16th Century at which stage its technique was lost forever.

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