Useum

Mesoamerica

93 works held in 12 museums

Painted codices and murals, 5th to 16th century

Tovar Codex: the caves of the seven lineages (Chicomoztoc), Mesoamerica

Tovar Codex: the caves of the seven lineages (Chicomoztoc), c. 1585.

figura 1a. Cuevas de los siete linajes que poblaron en… (museum title)

Mesoamerica (Mexican), watercolor on paper

John Carter Brown Library, Providence

Tovar Codex: Itzcoatl, fourth king, Mesoamerica

Tovar Codex: Itzcoatl, fourth king, c. 1585.

8a. Itzcoatl 4o Rey (museum title)

Mesoamerica (Mexican), watercolor on paper

John Carter Brown Library, Providence

Tovar Codex: Axayacatl, eighth king, Mesoamerica

Tovar Codex: Axayacatl, eighth king, c. 1585.

14. Axayacatzi[n] 8o Rey (museum title)

Mesoamerica (Mexican), watercolor on paper

John Carter Brown Library, Providence

Tovar Codex: the temple of Huitzilopochtli, Mesoamerica

Tovar Codex: the temple of Huitzilopochtli, c. 1585.

2a Templo del ydolo Uitzilopuchtli (museum title)

Mesoamerica (Mexican), watercolor on paper

John Carter Brown Library, Providence

Tovar Codex: Quetzalcoatl, god of Cholula, Mesoamerica

Tovar Codex: Quetzalcoatl, god of Cholula, c. 1585.

6a Quetzalcoatl, Dios particular de los de Chulula (museum title)

Mesoamerica (Mexican), watercolor on paper

John Carter Brown Library, Providence

Tovar Codex: the calendar, Mesoamerica

Tovar Codex: the calendar, c. 1585.

11. y ultima del 2o. tratado. Calendario (museum title)

Mesoamerica (Mexican), watercolor on paper

John Carter Brown Library, Providence

Tovar Codex: the month of Tititl, Mesoamerica

Tovar Codex: the month of Tititl, c. 1585.

Tititl (museum title)

Mesoamerica (Mexican), watercolor on paper

John Carter Brown Library, Providence

Bonampak, Room 3: figures of the celebration, Mesoamerica

Bonampak, Room 3: figures of the celebration, c. 790.

Bonampak, salle 3 : figures de la célébration (museum title)

Mesoamerica (Mexican), paint on plaster

Temple of the Murals (Structure 1), Bonampak, Chiapas

Mural Fragment Depicting a Maguey Bloodletting Ritual, Mesoamerica

Mural Fragment Depicting a Maguey Bloodletting Ritual, 500–600.

Mural Fragment Depicting a Maguey Bloodletting Ritual (museum title)

Mesoamerica (Mexican), mineral pigments on lime plaster

Art Institute of Chicago, United States

Dresden Codex, page 19: the Moon goddess, Mesoamerica

Dresden Codex, page 19: the Moon goddess

Codex Dresdensis, Seite 19 (museum title)

Mesoamerica (Mexican), paint on lime-coated bark paper (amate)

Saxon State and University Library (SLUB), Dresden

Tovar Codex: Tula, the serpent hill, Mesoamerica

Tovar Codex: Tula, the serpent hill, c. 1585.

2a. Tula (museum title)

Mesoamerica (Mexican), watercolor on paper

John Carter Brown Library, Providence

Tovar Codex: the war of Azcapotzalco, Mesoamerica

Tovar Codex: the war of Azcapotzalco, c. 1585.

9a. Guerra de Azcaputzalco (museum title)

Mesoamerica (Mexican), watercolor on paper

John Carter Brown Library, Providence

Tovar Codex: how the spring water was brought in, Mesoamerica

Tovar Codex: how the spring water was brought in, c. 1585.

15a. Modo como metieron el agua del manantial (museum title)

Mesoamerica (Mexican), watercolor on paper

John Carter Brown Library, Providence

Tovar Codex: Tezcatlipoca in his temple, Mesoamerica

Tovar Codex: Tezcatlipoca in his temple, c. 1585.

3a Tezxatlipuca ydolo de la penitencia y su templo (museum title)

Mesoamerica (Mexican), watercolor on paper

John Carter Brown Library, Providence

Tovar Codex: the combat between the sacrificer and the one to be sacrificed, Mesoamerica

Tovar Codex: the combat between the sacrificer and the one to be sacrificed, c. 1585.

7a Modo de pelear entre el que avia de sacrificar, y ser… (museum title)

Mesoamerica (Mexican), watercolor on paper

John Carter Brown Library, Providence

Tovar Codex: the month of Tozoztontli, Mesoamerica

Tovar Codex: the month of Tozoztontli, c. 1585.

Toçoztõtli (museum title)

Mesoamerica (Mexican), watercolor on paper

John Carter Brown Library, Providence

Bonampak, Room 1: procession of nobles, Mesoamerica

Bonampak, Room 1: procession of nobles, c. 790.

Bonampak, salle 1 : cortège de dignitaires (museum title)

Mesoamerica (Mexican), paint on plaster

Temple of the Murals (Structure 1), Bonampak, Chiapas

Bonampak, Room 3: dancers in feather costumes, Mesoamerica

Bonampak, Room 3: dancers in feather costumes, c. 790.

Bonampak, salle 3 : danseurs parés de plumes (museum title)

Mesoamerica (Mexican), paint on plaster

Temple of the Murals (Structure 1), Bonampak, Chiapas

Dresden Codex, page 5: invocation of the gods and prophecies, Mesoamerica

Dresden Codex, page 5: invocation of the gods and prophecies

Codex Dresdensis, Seite 5 (museum title)

Mesoamerica (Mexican), paint on lime-coated bark paper (amate)

Saxon State and University Library (SLUB), Dresden

Dresden Codex, page 20: the Moon goddess, Mesoamerica

Dresden Codex, page 20: the Moon goddess

Codex Dresdensis, Seite 20 (museum title)

Mesoamerica (Mexican), paint on lime-coated bark paper (amate)

Saxon State and University Library (SLUB), Dresden

Tovar Codex: the hill of Chapultepec, Mesoamerica

Tovar Codex: the hill of Chapultepec, c. 1585.

3a. Cerro de Chapultépec (museum title)

Mesoamerica (Mexican), watercolor on paper

John Carter Brown Library, Providence

Tovar Codex: the war against Coyoacan, Mesoamerica

Tovar Codex: the war against Coyoacan, c. 1585.

9a. Guerra contra Cuyuacan (museum title)

Mesoamerica (Mexican), watercolor on paper

John Carter Brown Library, Providence

Tovar Codex: Moctezuma II, last king of the Mexica, Mesoamerica

Tovar Codex: Moctezuma II, last king of the Mexica, c. 1585.

16a. Motecuçuma 2o deste nombre. Ultimo Rey de los Mexicanos (museum title)

Mesoamerica (Mexican), watercolor on paper

John Carter Brown Library, Providence

Tovar Codex: priests make offerings at night, burning incense and piercing their calves, Mesoamerica

Tovar Codex: priests make offerings at night, burning incense and piercing their calves, c. 1585.

4a. Sacerdotes de los idolos, y como de noche offrescian… (museum title)

Mesoamerica (Mexican), watercolor on paper

John Carter Brown Library, Providence

Tovar Codex: Toci, 'the grandmother', and another goddess of the Mexica, Mesoamerica

Tovar Codex: Toci, 'the grandmother', and another goddess of the Mexica, c. 1585.

8a Tozi que quiere dezir aguela. Diosas de los Mexicanos (museum title)

Mesoamerica (Mexican), watercolor on paper

John Carter Brown Library, Providence

Tovar Codex: the month of Toxcatl, Mesoamerica

Tovar Codex: the month of Toxcatl, c. 1585.

Toxcatl (museum title)

Mesoamerica (Mexican), watercolor on paper

John Carter Brown Library, Providence

Bonampak, Room 3: figures above a bench, Mesoamerica

Bonampak, Room 3: figures above a bench, c. 790.

Bonampak, salle 3 : personnages au-dessus d'une banquette (museum title)

Mesoamerica (Mexican), paint on plaster

Temple of the Murals (Structure 1), Bonampak, Chiapas

Bonampak, Room 3: dancers, Mesoamerica

Bonampak, Room 3: dancers, c. 790.

Bonampak, salle 3 : danseurs (museum title)

Mesoamerica (Mexican), paint on plaster

Temple of the Murals (Structure 1), Bonampak, Chiapas

Dresden Codex, page 6: invocation of the gods and prophecies, Mesoamerica

Dresden Codex, page 6: invocation of the gods and prophecies

Codex Dresdensis, Seite 6 (museum title)

Mesoamerica (Mexican), paint on lime-coated bark paper (amate)

Saxon State and University Library (SLUB), Dresden

Dresden Codex, page 22: the Moon goddess, Mesoamerica

Dresden Codex, page 22: the Moon goddess

Codex Dresdensis, Seite 22 (museum title)

Mesoamerica (Mexican), paint on lime-coated bark paper (amate)

Saxon State and University Library (SLUB), Dresden

Tovar Codex: the eagle on the prickly pear, the founding of Mexico, Mesoamerica

Tovar Codex: the eagle on the prickly pear, the founding of Mexico, c. 1585.

4a. El Tunal con el Aguila que hallaron en la laguna (museum title)

Mesoamerica (Mexican), watercolor on paper

John Carter Brown Library, Providence

Tovar Codex: the man who threw himself down rather than fight his homeland, Mesoamerica

Tovar Codex: the man who threw himself down rather than fight his homeland, c. 1585.

11a El q[ue] se arrojo por no yr contra su patria (museum title)

Mesoamerica (Mexican), watercolor on paper

John Carter Brown Library, Providence

Tovar Codex: the dance of the Mexica, Mesoamerica

Tovar Codex: the dance of the Mexica, c. 1585.

El modo de baylar de los Mexicanos. 17a y última del primer… (museum title)

Mesoamerica (Mexican), watercolor on paper

John Carter Brown Library, Providence

Tovar Codex: a way of burying the dead with their servants and belongings, Mesoamerica

Tovar Codex: a way of burying the dead with their servants and belongings, c. 1585.

5a Un modo de enterrar los muertos con todos sus criados y… (museum title)

Mesoamerica (Mexican), watercolor on paper

John Carter Brown Library, Providence

Tovar Codex: the god of Tlaxcala, Mesoamerica

Tovar Codex: the god of Tlaxcala, c. 1585.

9a Ydolo particular de Tlaxcala (museum title)

Mesoamerica (Mexican), watercolor on paper

John Carter Brown Library, Providence

Tovar Codex: the month of Xocotl Huetzi, Mesoamerica

Tovar Codex: the month of Xocotl Huetzi, c. 1585.

Xocotlhuetzi (museum title)

Mesoamerica (Mexican), watercolor on paper

John Carter Brown Library, Providence

Bonampak, Room 1: the musicians, Mesoamerica

Bonampak, Room 1: the musicians, c. 790.

Bonampak, salle 1 : les musiciens (museum title)

Mesoamerica (Mexican), paint on plaster

Temple of the Murals (Structure 1), Bonampak, Chiapas

Mural (fragment), Mesoamerica

Mural (fragment), 500–550.

Mural (museum title)

Mesoamerica (Mexican), paint on lime plaster

Metropolitan Museum of Art, United States

Dresden Codex, page 9: invocation of the gods and prophecies, Mesoamerica

Dresden Codex, page 9: invocation of the gods and prophecies

Codex Dresdensis, Seite 9 (museum title)

Mesoamerica (Mexican), paint on lime-coated bark paper (amate)

Saxon State and University Library (SLUB), Dresden

Dresden Codex, page 25: New Year ceremonies, Mesoamerica

Dresden Codex, page 25: New Year ceremonies

Codex Dresdensis, Seite 25 (museum title)

Mesoamerica (Mexican), paint on lime-coated bark paper (amate)

Saxon State and University Library (SLUB), Dresden

Tovar Codex: Acamapichtli, first king, Mesoamerica

Tovar Codex: Acamapichtli, first king, c. 1585.

5a. Acamapichtli (museum title)

Mesoamerica (Mexican), watercolor on paper

John Carter Brown Library, Providence

Tovar Codex: Moctezuma I, sixth king, Mesoamerica

Tovar Codex: Moctezuma I, sixth king, c. 1585.

12a. Motecuçuma primero deste nombre. 6o Rey (museum title)

Mesoamerica (Mexican), watercolor on paper

John Carter Brown Library, Providence

Tovar Codex: Huitzilopochtli, principal god of the Mexica, Mesoamerica

Tovar Codex: Huitzilopochtli, principal god of the Mexica, c. 1585.

1a figura Uitzilopuchtli, idolo principal de los Mexicanos (museum title)

Mesoamerica (Mexican), watercolor on paper

John Carter Brown Library, Providence

Tovar Codex: another way of burying the dead: burning them and burying their ashes, Mesoamerica

Tovar Codex: another way of burying the dead: burning them and burying their ashes, c. 1585.

5a Otro modo de enterrar los muertos, quemandolos y… (museum title)

Mesoamerica (Mexican), watercolor on paper

John Carter Brown Library, Providence

Tovar Codex: the common way of sacrifice: tearing out the heart and striking the idol's face with it, Mesoamerica

Tovar Codex: the common way of sacrifice: tearing out the heart and striking the idol's face with it, c. 1585.

10a Modo de sacrificar sacando el coraçón y dando con él en… (museum title)

Mesoamerica (Mexican), watercolor on paper

John Carter Brown Library, Providence

Tovar Codex: the month of Panquetzaliztli, Mesoamerica

Tovar Codex: the month of Panquetzaliztli, c. 1585.

Paquetzaliztli (museum title)

Mesoamerica (Mexican), watercolor on paper

John Carter Brown Library, Providence

Bonampak, Room 1: nobles and standards, Mesoamerica

Bonampak, Room 1: nobles and standards, c. 790.

Bonampak, salle 1 : dignitaires et étendards (museum title)

Mesoamerica (Mexican), paint on plaster

Temple of the Murals (Structure 1), Bonampak, Chiapas

Mural Fragment with Elite Male and Maguey Cactus Leaves, Mesoamerica

Mural Fragment with Elite Male and Maguey Cactus Leaves, 500–550.

Mural Fragment with Elite Male and Maguey Cactus Leaves (museum title)

Mesoamerica (Mexican), fresco on wall fragment

Cleveland Museum of Art, United States

Dresden Codex, page 16: the Moon goddess, Mesoamerica

Dresden Codex, page 16: the Moon goddess

Codex Dresdensis, Seite 16 (museum title)

Mesoamerica (Mexican), paint on lime-coated bark paper (amate)

Saxon State and University Library (SLUB), Dresden

Dresden Codex, page 26: New Year ceremonies, Mesoamerica

Dresden Codex, page 26: New Year ceremonies

Codex Dresdensis, Seite 26 (museum title)

Mesoamerica (Mexican), paint on lime-coated bark paper (amate)

Saxon State and University Library (SLUB), Dresden

Anonymous Mesoamerican paintings from the 5th to the 16th century, in the public domain. Only flat, painted works are shown: no sculpture, no relief and no object. The codices are held by the Saxon State and University Library (Dresden) and the John Carter Brown Library (Providence), which publish their reproductions themselves; the murals remain in the archaeological sites of Teotihuacan, Cacaxtla and Bonampak, managed by Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), or are held by The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Cleveland Museum of Art and the Art Institute of Chicago. The site or holder is named under each work.