The Spaniards' Pinch-Worthy Aztec Art Encounter

The year is 1519, and a band of curious Spaniards under Hernán Cortés arrives in the thriving city of Tenochtitlan, the heart of the Aztec empire. As they gazed upon the majestic temples, palaces, and artistry of this grand civilization, they couldn't help but pinch themselves. Were they in a dream, or had they stumbled upon a world where art and architecture defied imagination?

But what they didn't realize was that this astonishing art was merely the crescendo of a long, vibrant artistic journey that began in Teotihuacan and passed through the hands of the Toltecs. The Aztecs didn't just come up with these masterpieces out of thin air – they built upon a rich tradition.

Imagine standing in the bustling main square of Tenochtitlan, an awe-inspiring complex with the double temple dedicated to Tlaloc and Huitzilopochtli, the tzompantli (or “altar of skulls”). The temples of Ehecaltl and Tezcatlipoca, and the calmecac, the main teaching center of the priests. Royal residences like the palace of Axayacalt, adorned with polished wooden pavements, patios, and terraces, left the Spaniards gobsmacked. In terms of architecture, the Aztecs may not have been original, but they certainly knew how to do it in style.

Beyond the capital, the Aztecs peppered the landscape with temples and tzompantin, showcasing their devotion and their penchant for some macabre aesthetics. Their temples, like those throughout Mesoamerica, took the form of stepped pyramids where they conducted their solemn human sacrifices.

When it came to stone carving, the Aztecs showed their prowess. Their works ranged from religious depictions like the awe-inspiring Coatlicue to the intricate reliefs of the Xochicalco pyramid. But they didn't stop there. The Aztecs weren't afraid to embrace their creative side, as evidenced by the “eagle knight” and Xochipilli, the “flower child.”

In the realm of industrial arts, the Aztecs truly shone. They excelled in lapidary work, crafting exquisite jade and turquoise pieces and stunning handles for sacrificial knives. Featherwork and ceramics were also high on their list of accomplishments. Feather headdresses and shields adorned with a harmonious blend of colors were the stuff of legends. Their ceramics took on various forms, from cups to sahumerios, vases to plates, each with distinct styles that reflected the regions of Tlaltelolco and Tenochtitlan.

The Aztecs were no slouches when it came to painting. Though only a few murals remain, the ceramics, colorful and polychrome, have an inherently geometric charm. The real gems are the codices, where the artistic genius of the Aztecs truly shines.

These precious codices, also known as “amtl,” were made from fine maguey fiber fabric coated in an adhesive solution and lime. They contained four distinct types: topographical maps, historical accounts, calendars and rites, and lists of tributes. These codices were not for reading; rather, they served as visual cues for oral recitations. The art may appear naive and conventional, but it's far from crude. Every figure and symbol was carefully crafted, and each detail held significance.

Facts

• Aztec architecture was not original, but was influenced by Teotihuacan and the Toltecs.
• The main square of Tenochtitlan was an impressive complex with temples, palaces, and a ball court.
• Aztec temples were typically stepped pyramids.
• Aztec stone carving was excellent, and included both religious and secular sculptures.
• Aztec industrial arts included lapidary, featherwork, and ceramics.
• Aztec painting was cultivated with originality, and was manifested in murals, ceramics, and codices.
• Aztec codices were painted on maguey fiber or deer skin, and were folded like screens.
• Aztec codices presented four types of information: topographical or maps, historical, calendar and rites, and lists of tributes.
• Aztec codices were not read in the modern sense, but the figures represented in them served as a script for an oral recitation.
• The Aztecs were influenced by the Mixtecs in their stone carving and ceramics.
• Aztec featherwork was particularly notable for its use of harmonic color combinations.
• Aztec codices were conventional and naive in style, but not crude.
• Many Aztec codices were collected in the 18th century by Lorenzo Boturini.

The Aztecs were skilled artists and craftsmen, and their art was influenced by their predecessors in Mesoamerica. Their architecture, stone carving, industrial arts, painting, and codices all represent significant achievements. Remember, their journey began in Teotihuacan, passed through the Toltecs, and culminated in the grandeur of Tenochtitlan. Their legacy is etched in stone, ceramics, and precious codices, waiting for you to explore and savor their captivating stories.