🖼AP Art History Unit 5 – Indigenous American Art, 1000 BCE–1980 CE

Key Time Periods and Cultures

• Mesoamerica (present-day Mexico and Central America) developed advanced civilizations including the Olmec, Maya, and Aztec
• Andean region (present-day Peru, Bolivia, and parts of Chile) saw the rise of cultures such as the Chavín, Moche, and Inca
• North America was home to diverse cultures including the Ancestral Puebloans (formerly known as Anasazi), Mississippian, and Inuit
• Olmec civilization (1200-400 BCE) is considered the "mother culture" of Mesoamerica, influencing later cultures
  • Known for colossal stone heads and jade carvings
• Maya civilization (250-900 CE) is renowned for its art, architecture, and writing system
  • Classic Period (250-900 CE) saw the height of Maya art and culture
• Aztec Empire (1428-1521 CE) was the last great Mesoamerican civilization before the Spanish conquest
  • Tenochtitlan, the Aztec capital, was a major center of art and culture

Major Artistic Styles and Techniques

• Mesoamerican art often featured a highly stylized and symbolic representation of figures and deities
• Andean art emphasized geometric patterns, stylized figures, and the incorporation of precious materials
• North American art varied widely, from the naturalistic animal carvings of the Inuit to the abstract geometric designs of the Ancestral Puebloans
• Olmec artists developed a distinctive style characterized by naturalistic facial features and exaggerated body proportions
  • Colossal stone heads showcase the Olmec mastery of stone carving
• Maya art is known for its intricate relief carvings, vibrant murals, and detailed ceramic vessels
  • Bonampak murals depict scenes of courtly life, warfare, and ritual
• Aztec art featured a bold, geometric style with an emphasis on the representation of deities and religious symbolism
  • Aztec sun stone is a monumental sculpture that combines religious and astronomical elements

Influential Artists and Works

• Most Indigenous American artists remain anonymous due to the collective nature of artistic production and the lack of written records
• Olmec colossal heads (1200-900 BCE) are among the most recognizable works of Mesoamerican art
  • Believed to represent Olmec rulers or elite members of society
• Maya murals at Bonampak (c. 790 CE) provide a rare glimpse into Maya court life and warfare
  • Painted by unknown artists, the murals cover the walls of three rooms in a temple complex
• Aztec sun stone (c. 1500 CE) is a massive monolithic sculpture that combines religious, mythological, and astronomical elements
  • Believed to have been created by a team of Aztec sculptors under the direction of the state
• Moche portrait vessels (100-800 CE) are ceramic vessels featuring highly individualized portraits of Moche rulers and elite
  • Showcase the Moche mastery of ceramic art and naturalistic representation

Materials and Mediums

• Stone was a primary medium for monumental sculpture and architecture across Mesoamerica and the Andes
  • Volcanic stone (basalt) was commonly used by Olmec and Aztec artists
  • Limestone was favored by Maya artists for relief carvings and stelae
• Clay was used extensively for ceramic vessels, figurines, and architectural decorations
  • Moche portrait vessels showcase the high level of skill in ceramic art
• Precious materials such as gold, silver, and jade were used for elite objects and adornments
  • Chavín culture (900-200 BCE) is known for its intricate gold and silver work
• Textiles played a significant role in Andean art, with complex designs and techniques such as weaving, dyeing, and embroidery
  • Paracas textiles (600-175 BCE) feature intricate embroidery and vibrant colors
• Feathers were used in Mesoamerican art for headdresses, shields, and other ceremonial objects
  • Aztec featherwork, such as the Montezuma headdress, showcases the skill and artistry of Aztec craftsmen

Symbolism and Iconography

• Indigenous American art is rich in symbolism and iconography, often related to religious beliefs, cosmology, and political power
• Mesoamerican art frequently depicts deities, such as the Olmec were-jaguar, Maya maize god, and Aztec Quetzalcoatl
  • Were-jaguar motif represents the transformation of shamans into jaguars, symbolizing power and spiritual authority
• Andean art often features animal imagery, such as jaguars, serpents, and birds of prey, associated with spiritual power and divine forces
  • Chavín staff god, a anthropomorphic figure with feline and serpentine features, represents the connection between the natural and supernatural worlds
• Geometric patterns and designs carry symbolic meaning, such as the Andean stepped fret motif representing the mountainous landscape and the connection between the earthly and divine realms
  • Zigzag patterns in Ancestral Puebloan pottery may represent lightning, water, or serpents
• Iconography of rulership, such as headdresses, thrones, and scepters, reinforces the divine right and power of leaders
  • Maya stelae often depict rulers in elaborate regalia, emphasizing their connection to the gods and their role as intermediaries between the human and divine realms

Cultural and Historical Context

• Indigenous American art is deeply intertwined with the cultural, religious, and political contexts of the societies that produced it
• Art served as a means of communicating religious beliefs, cosmological understanding, and political ideology
  • Aztec sun stone combines religious and astronomical elements, reflecting the Aztec belief in the cyclical nature of time and the importance of sacrifice
• Art production was often state-sponsored and served to legitimize the power of rulers and elite classes
  • Maya rulers commissioned stelae and murals to record their achievements and reinforce their divine right to rule
• Trade networks facilitated the exchange of materials, ideas, and artistic styles across regions
  • Olmec influence can be seen in the art of later Mesoamerican cultures, such as the Maya and Aztec
• The Spanish conquest and colonization had a profound impact on Indigenous American art, leading to the destruction of many works and the suppression of traditional artistic practices
  • Despite this, many indigenous communities continued to produce art that maintained traditional elements while incorporating new influences

Impact on Modern Art

• Indigenous American art has had a significant influence on modern and contemporary art movements
• Primitivism, a movement in early 20th-century European art, drew inspiration from the formal qualities and perceived "primitive" nature of Indigenous American art
  • Pablo Picasso and other modernists incorporated elements of Indigenous American art into their work
• Surrealism, a movement that emerged in the 1920s, found inspiration in the dreamlike and symbolic qualities of Indigenous American art
  • André Breton, a leading Surrealist, collected and wrote about Indigenous American art
• Latin American artists, such as Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo, incorporated elements of Indigenous American art into their work as part of a broader exploration of national identity and cultural heritage
  • Rivera's murals often featured indigenous motifs and themes, celebrating Mexico's pre-Columbian past
• Contemporary indigenous artists continue to draw on traditional forms, techniques, and symbolism while engaging with modern and postmodern art practices
  • Jaune Quick-to-See Smith (Salish) incorporates elements of Native American iconography and contemporary political commentary in her mixed-media works

Key Takeaways and Exam Tips

• Understand the major time periods and cultures of Indigenous American art, including Mesoamerica, the Andes, and North America
• Recognize the distinctive artistic styles and techniques of each region and culture, such as Olmec naturalism, Maya relief carving, and Andean geometric patterns
• Be familiar with key works of art and their cultural and historical significance, such as the Olmec colossal heads, Maya Bonampak murals, and Aztec sun stone
• Pay attention to the materials and mediums used in Indigenous American art, and how they relate to the cultural and geographical contexts of the societies that produced them
• Understand the symbolic and iconographic elements in Indigenous American art, and how they communicate religious beliefs, cosmological understanding, and political ideology
• Consider the cultural and historical context of Indigenous American art, including the role of art in reinforcing social and political structures, and the impact of the Spanish conquest and colonization
• Recognize the influence of Indigenous American art on modern and contemporary art movements, such as Primitivism, Surrealism, and Latin American art
• When analyzing works of Indigenous American art, consider the formal qualities, cultural context, and symbolic meaning, and how they relate to the broader themes and developments in the field