Pre-Columbian Art - Softcover

Pasztory, Esther

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0521645514 ISBN 13: 9780521645515

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 1998

Synopsis

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.

About this title

Book Description:

The world of the remote and complex Aztec and Incan societies comes down to us largely through objects rather than through contemporary descriptions. Pasztory recreates this world for us by drawing on a vast range of material finds, including monumental sculpture, woven textiles, pottery portrait heads, gold masks, and illustrated codices.

From 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
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 1998
• ISBN 10: 0521645514
• ISBN 13: 9780521645515
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 176