Mayan Art
I have always loved the look of Mayan art. The sharpness of the features on the sculpting, and the details on the hieroglyphics have always stood out to me. The Mayan pyramids are a great tourist spot and are truly astounding as well.
The Maya were a group of Mesoamerican Indians in southern Mexico, Guatemala, and northern Brazil. (Maya) They started living in South America as early as 1500 BCE. The Maya built a strong civilization focused on farming, mainly corn, beans, and squash; which were the native crops of the region. They also did wonders with their construction. One of the most visited and well known pyramids is the Pyramid of Kukulkan, also known as El Castillo “The Castle” in English. This pyramid showcases the Maya’s skill in astronomy. During the spring and autumn equinox the shadows on the pyramid form the shape of a slithering descending serpent. (Chichen) Another interesting detail is that the pyramid has 365 steps, the length of a year.
The Maya were a group of Mesoamerican Indians in southern Mexico, Guatemala, and northern Brazil. (Maya) They started living in South America as early as 1500 BCE. The Maya built a strong civilization focused on farming, mainly corn, beans, and squash; which were the native crops of the region. They also did wonders with their construction. One of the most visited and well known pyramids is the Pyramid of Kukulkan, also known as El Castillo “The Castle” in English. This pyramid showcases the Maya’s skill in astronomy. During the spring and autumn equinox the shadows on the pyramid form the shape of a slithering descending serpent. (Chichen) Another interesting detail is that the pyramid has 365 steps, the length of a year.
Mayan hieroglyphics are probably one of the most well known parts of mayan culture. Mayan hieroglyphics can be found on all sorts of mayan artifacts including books, pottery, structure walls. An interesting detail of the mayan language is that it is pictorial, meaning the hieroglyphics are all recognizable pictures of real things in daily life like animals, plants, objects. (Mayan H.)
Mayan sculpture is well preserved and gives us a good look at Mayan history. Most of Mayan sculptures are either Mayan rulers or gods/goddesses. Mayan rulers actually employed full-time artists like sculptors and painters to preserve their history. The artists even signed their work. (Doyle, Ancient) Mayan sculptures have a very symmetrical and geometric style that is easily recognizable. The faces and bodies were heavily stylized to not be super realistic but still look proportional. The Mayan people were not only extremely skilled in painting and sculpture, but also in astronomy and record-keeping; thus creating a range of beautiful art.
Mayan sculpture is well preserved and gives us a good look at Mayan history. Most of Mayan sculptures are either Mayan rulers or gods/goddesses. Mayan rulers actually employed full-time artists like sculptors and painters to preserve their history. The artists even signed their work. (Doyle, Ancient) Mayan sculptures have a very symmetrical and geometric style that is easily recognizable. The faces and bodies were heavily stylized to not be super realistic but still look proportional. The Mayan people were not only extremely skilled in painting and sculpture, but also in astronomy and record-keeping; thus creating a range of beautiful art.
Sources
“Chichen Itza.” National Geographic. National Geographic Society, 15 November, 2010. Web. 17 April, 2020. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/world-heritage/chichen-itza/#close
Doyle, James. “Ancient Maya Sculpture.” The Met. Metropolitan Museum of Art, April 2016. Web. 17 April, 2020. https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/mayas/hd_mayas.htm
“Maya.” Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., 14 November, 2019. Web. 17 April, 2020. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Maya-people
“Mayan Hieroglyphic Writing.” Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., 21 February, 2007. Web. 17 April, 2020. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Mayan-hieroglyphic-writing
Doyle, James. “Ancient Maya Sculpture.” The Met. Metropolitan Museum of Art, April 2016. Web. 17 April, 2020. https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/mayas/hd_mayas.htm
“Maya.” Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., 14 November, 2019. Web. 17 April, 2020. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Maya-people
“Mayan Hieroglyphic Writing.” Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., 21 February, 2007. Web. 17 April, 2020. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Mayan-hieroglyphic-writing