Art of the Americas: Latin America

Precolumbian America
"Precolumbian" refers to the many cultures that existed in the Americas from Mexico to Peru before the Spanish conquest in 1521. Highlighting the cultures of West Mexico, the Maya region and Central America, the Museum's collection introduces the viewer to the splendour and diversity of Precolumbian artistic expression.

The varied environmental zones of Mesoamerica gave rise to numerous and diverse civilizations. Underlying this diversity, however, was a shared cultural co-tradition spread through trade and inter-colonization. Included in this common tradition were an accurate astronomical calendar, ritual ballgame complex, various religious and political concepts, and architectural and artistic trends.

Ceramic and stone sculptures seem most frequent, but painting, fresco, textile and metallurgy were all highly refined. The various Precolumbian cultures all created objects with ritual or funerary purpose.


Spanish Colonial
In 1532, Francisco Pizzaro and his Spanish conquistadors captured the emperor of the Inca, Atahualpa, and initiated three centuries of Spanish colonization in South America. The Spanish conquest wrought enormous devastation on the indigenous cultures. However, a new and unique culture emerged which integrated elements from both the new and old world civilizations.

The concentration of secular and ecclesiastical powers in the cities of Lima, Cuzco, Bogotá and Quito encouraged their development into artistic centers. While these cities were quite Europeanized, the art they produced exhibits an inventive blend of aesthetic patterns reflecting the mestizo [mixed] Spanish and Indian character that developed in South America. In general, Spanish Colonial art has a highly ornate, glittering appearance achieved with elaborate gold stenciling and gold leaf. Jeweled ornaments were often affixed to the surface of the painting.

A fascinating code of imagery arose from the Catholic Church's use of art to interpret religious doctrine for the native civilizations. The partnership between the Church and the Spanish State fell victim to the revolutions of the 19th Century, however, and with the end of the colonial period also came the demise of the colonial art tradition.