ROGAN: AZTEC CARVING AND SCULPTURE

A collective of tribes known as the Mexica (the word from which Mexico is derived) moved in the valley of Mexico from the north approximately a century after the demise of the Toltec civilization.  These tribes came to be known as the Aztecs and built a tremendous empire drawing heavily on the cultural advances of the Toltec and other Mesoamerican peoples.  The Aztecs reached great levels of artistic and intellectual development.  At the forefront was their amazing architecture which incorporated staggering stone sculptures. 

Aztec stone sculptures were at the pinnacle of Mesoamerican art.  In keeping with a tradition of stone carving that began with the Olmec people in the 2^nd millennium B.C.  Objects and monuments were carved from stones ranging from volcanic rock to semi-precious stones such as jade.  Sculptures were able to achieve fantastic tone and symmetry being almost always carved from a frontal view or perspective, which is why the carvings adorned the architecture so well throughout their capital city of Tenochtitlán, which stood on the site of present day Mexico City.  The remarkable city stood as a piece of artwork in itself. 

 

Aztec artisans were exceptionally skilled in the art of carving, and were thus able to create intricate details on extremely course surfaces.  Their eye for detail was phenomenal and they were capable of creating life like realism as well as abstraction of the deity, person or animal they were portraying. 

A great deal of Aztec art was also created for festivals and celebrations as well as ritual.  Wonderful patterns were created on stamps and statues as seen above.  Their fantastic use of symmetry and symbol is as unique as it is historic and is also well emphasized in these pieces.

Masks were also crafted by the Aztecs to represent deities or gods and were used as part of religious rituals.  These masks were usually carved from wood and decorated in a beautiful mosaic style with precious stones, turquoise and even shells being used to create a beautiful aesthetic. Green stones, such as jadeite, diorite, and serpentine, were the most important precious stones in Mesoamerica, their use symbolized water and life. It is amazing to see how these masks have laid a foundation for the masks that are used in modern society.

The Aztecs were a hugely religious civilization and this is clearly shown in their sculptural art work that was solely made to appease their gods. Geometric designs and sweeping lines were representations of religious creed and also a symbol of power. The symbolism and the artistic language that the Aztecs spoke is still replicated to this day and much of their artwork has stood the test of time despite Spanish invasion and centuries having past. 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

www.mexicolore.co.uk/index

www.mesoamericas.com

www.mask-andmore-masks.com/aztec-masks.html

www.aztec-empire.com/masks.html

www.anglefire.com/realm/shades/nativeamericans/precolumbionart6.html

www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/azss/hd_azss.htm