Prepared to accompany one of the greatest exhibitions of Aztec culture ever assembled at the Royal Academy of Arts in London, Aztecs documents in glorious color one of the world’s most impressive civilizations. But it’s much more than a beautiful catalog. Leading experts on the Aztec civilization contribute nine articles that cover everything from the origins of this once nomadic people to their literature and philosophy. They explore their religious beliefs, rulers, war culture, and everyday life. The catalog was produced by scholars from 66 institutions in Mexico, the United States, and Europe.
The heart of the book, however, is the more than 500 superb, color photographs of 359 statues, ceramics, codices, and other items that make up the exhibit. Aztec architecture that survived the conquest is buried under modern Mexico City, which provides the core of the surviving material culture. While this volume draws heavily from the two great museums in Mexico City, seldom seen masterpieces from around the world are also included. Take for example the splendid shield depicting a monster made of feathers and sheet-gold on agave paper, leather, and reeds. It is one of the treasures of Aztec art: a gift from Cortés that now resides in Vienna.
Several Aztec illustrated manuscripts are included in this volume, like the Codex Mendoza, which was prepared shortly after the conquest by an Aztec scribe who did the pictorial text that was annotated with Spanish explanations. It is an encyclopedia of Aztec history and culture that is permanently housed at Oxford University.
Aztecs is a magnificent book that historians, archaeology buffs, and students of Mesoamerican art should not miss.
