Term paper on An analytical insight of Aztec Art
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Term paper on An analytical insight of Aztec Art

 Introduction

Art, in its various forms, is something that has existed practically since the era when man was naught more than a brutish primate wandering from place to place in search of bare shelter and sustenance. And this, moreover, is something that is accentuated quite strongly when considering it in light of the various discoveries of predated and sometimes fossilized paintings, sculptors and metal and iron trinkets. Take into consideration, for instance, the data that has invariable been brought to light with the typically archeological unearthing of various relics and tidbits from different cultures and regions. It is quite apparent, thus speaking, that art works procured from a particular region and/or culture tend to be especially relevant as a result of the fact that they are reflective of the attitudes and preconceptions prevailing within the particular culture (s).

The Aztecs & the five functions of their art

Take into consideration, for instance, the prevailing features and characteristics of the art that has been recovered from the Aztec culture that historically reigned within the region currently known as the Americas. Consider that art has historically provided an avenue via which the particularly respective artists can express the depth of his/her ideological traits. It is barely surprising, considering that prime reason due to which most artists tend to be so transfixed by the objectivity of their work (s). This is something that brings us to another function of Aztec art; bringing about a recorded illustration of reverence towards the animals that they perceived to be crucially central towards their existence in as much as providing food {meat} and clothing {skins}.

One of the functions of Aztec art that is rather different from those above, however, is made apparent when considering the collective Aztec obsession with religion and their relationship with their numerous gods. They dedicated as much time as possible towards the construction of elaborately adorned and designed pyramid temples and religious centers to honor their many gods and goddesses (Soisson, 1987). It would, be similarly relevant to acknowledge that in art, the Aztecs sought to metaphorically reflect the influences of the characteristics of their environment, religion and everyday lives (Baquedano, 1993). Finally, the last function of Aztec art appears to have been something of an appeasement to the gods, something that is accentuated quite strongly when considering it in light of the fact that a prevalence of Aztec art appears to be exclusively focused on the portrayal of strange, hybridized entities that appear to have the bearings of particularly respective Gods (Soisson, 1987).

The relativity that nature yielded over Aztec art

It would be relevant to consider that as far as the influence that nature yielded over the entirety of Aztec art is concerned, this is something that is virtually impossible to overlook. Take into consideration, for instance, that the natural surroundings of the Aztecs provided the only areas whence they could borrow ideologies for their graphical representations from. The region of their habitation was abundantly inhabited by foxes, owls, jaguars, fish, birds, hummingbirds, deer, rabbit and duck, dogs and these animals were often an inspiration for their art and decoration (Young, 2004).

It would be noteworthy to acknowledge the fact that the Aztec culture decreed there to be virtually no difference between art, and religion, this being something that attains further significance when considering it in light of the fact that in Aztec culture, art and religion were not easily separated (McDowell, 1980). It is quite apparent, thus speaking, that the Aztecs complied to a rather naturalist state of religious theology, this being something that is espoused rather clearly when considering it in light of the fact that in addition to ascribing almost supreme relevance to their Sun God; they also believed in a great many divinities ostensible supposed to supervise the transpiration of such natural occurrences as crop fertility, weather changes and even childbirth. This, moreover, is a theme that tends to be indirectly supported by the collective Aztec ideology that all human virtues were achieved as a result of the underlying human relativity to the communal animal kingdom.

Aztec Iconography & more on the depth of the illustration of animals within Aztec art

One of the most significant finds of existing Aztec art is the Aztec Sun Stone, found in the Great Temple at Tenochtitlan. The stone, which has a diameter measuring 13.2 feet and is approximately 24 tons in weight, is one of the best preserved objects of art that is resplendent with Aztec iconography. Inserted to the right of the text of this paragraph (Extracted from website; consult appendix for enlarged image and link) the face of the Aztec Sun Stone, one of the most breathtaking examples of Aztec iconography to have been discovered in exceptional condition, represents the Aztec universe ( Crystal, 2004). The face of the Aztec sun god is carved in the center with circular bands of designs that symbolize the days and the heavens.

The metaphorical intricacy of the Sun Stone, moreover, is highlighted when considering that the magnificence of the crown, nose-pendant, ear-rings and necklace affixed to the face of the sun god are meant reflect the splendor of the deity itself. Even more relevant, moreover, is the ideology that the reason that the visage appears to have its tongue stuck out is that it ‘demands to be fed with blood and human hearts’ ( Crystal, 2004). And in regard to the Aztec transfixion with integrating animals into their artwork: it would be relevant to acknowledge that the Aztecs believed that all skills and virtues, physical as well as mental, came from their natural communion with particular animals. This is something that related to the fact that man and animals lived in close relativity and dependence upon each other (Young, 2004).
 
 
 
     
 

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