Pre-Columbian Art by Esther Pasztory

From the Publisher

When, in the sixteenth century, the Spanish conquistadors defeated the Aztec empire in Mexico and the Inca empire in Peru, their dreams of finding treasure in the New World were amply fulfilled. What they also found was that the Aztecs and the Incas were the latest in a long line of highly civilized peoples to have occupied Mesoamerica and the Andes. In this engaging book, Esther Pasztory describes the very different cultural traditions of these two areas, placing them within their historical and social contexts. Pasztory draws on a vast range of material finds, including monumental sculpture, woven textiles, pottery portrait heads, gold masks, and illustrated codices. She reveals the effects of colonialism on the art, as well as the curious power that Pre-Columbian art has in turn exerted upon Western art, both in the development of art theory and the creation of art works.

Library Journal

In the manner of previous books on pre-Columbian art, this beautifully illustrated book aims to cover the whole artistic tradition in all its variety. But where previous books dealt with the traditions separately and from archaeological, anthropological, ecological, or stylistic approaches, this book's intent is to compare and contrast the two cultures and use the artistic tradition to unlock some of the elaborate belief systems that inform these cultures. Pasztory (pre-Columbian art history and archaeology, Columbia) has written extensively on pre-Columbian art and architecture. She reveals the effects of colonialism on the art as well as the influence of pre-Columbian art on 20th-century artists. Her intriguing conclusions include speculations on the importance of technology in these cultures and on the existence of two fundamental types of ideology--one focusing on humans and the other on the cosmos. Highly recommended as a well-written summary and introductory treatment of the subject for public and academic libraries.--Sylvia Andrews, Indiana State Lib., Indianapolis

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Table of Contents