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If you loved the Codice / Codex Borgia and/or love Inca Pre-Columbian Art, this one is definitely for you. The Facsimile Edition of the Codex Murúa is a meticulously crafted reproduction of the original manuscript, a 16th- to early 17th-century document attributed to the Spanish friar Martín de Murúa. This codex, officially titled Historia general del Pirú, is a significant historical and ethnographic record of the Inca civilization and the early colonial period in Peru. Year of Creation The facsimile edition was published in 2004, faithfully replicating the original manuscript, which was created between 1590 and 1616. Number of Pages and Illustrations The codex consists of 309 folios (618 pages) and contains over 100 full-color illustrations. These images, believed to be crafted by indigenous Andean artists, provide rich depictions of Inca rulers, noble figures, traditional clothing, rituals, and colonial-era life. Some scholars attribute several of these illustrations to the renowned indigenous painter Guaman Poma de Ayala, though this remains a topic of debate. Contents and Subject The Codex Murúa serves as a chronicle of Inca history, customs, governance, and the impact of Spanish colonization. It is divided into sections detailing: The genealogy and reigns of Inca rulers, from Manco Cápac to Atahualpa The structure of Inca society, including noble lineages, administrative roles, and religious customs The Spanish conquest and colonial transformation, highlighting encomiendas, missionary activities, and the imposition of European laws and customs The codex is particularly valuable for its fusion of European historical narrative with indigenous perspectives, offering insight into the Andean world before and after Spanish rule. Authors and Ownership The primary author, Fray Martín de Murúa, was a Mercedarian friar who lived in Peru and compiled this work based on oral histories, colonial records, and his own experiences. Over the centuries, the codex changed hands multiple times and was owned by various European collectors. The manuscript is currently housed in the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, California, where it is preserved as part of its rare book collection. The 2004 facsimile edition, presents the Codex Murúa in stunning detail, ensuring scholars and historians have access to this invaluable source. It faithfully reproduces the layout, colors, and marginal annotations of the original, making it an essential resource for the study of Andean history, indigenous art, and colonial interactions.
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