Aztec Art

Aztecs: Recognizable Artistic Geniuses

 

 

 

What was ancient Aztec art like?

The art of the Aztecs was influenced by hundreds or even thousands of years of artistry of this very culture.  Techniques and themes changed over time with little to no external influence from other cultures. 

Aztec art was primarily a form of religious expression and a means for paying tribute to one’s gods.

-          Although primarily a religious expression, art was also a means of communication for the Aztecs

o   Art such as pictographs can still be seen on the walls of their temples.

§  Pictographs were small pictures that represented objects or sounds

§  These Aztec drawings were used extensively within their counting system

-          The most famous and recognized Aztec pictograph is the Aztec calendar

o   365 Day calendar much like, if not identical, to our modern calendar

o   It is also a form of art

§  In the center, an image of an Aztec god is shown with extreme attention to detail.

 

 

       

Pottery:

-          Pottery of the Aztecs was not only useful to the Aztecs; it was an important religious craft within the Aztec arts.

-          Pottery of all shapes and sizes depicted a variety of designs that were meaningful to the Aztec culture and religion.

-          The designs typically placed on the pottery were meant to depict or pay reverence to specific Aztec gods or to represent an Aztec tribe.

o   Pottery could be as simple as a rustic plate, or elaborate like this pot:

*Noteworthy: all Aztec culture is strongly based upon religion                       : (not ancient Aztec plate)

 

Sculpture:

-          Primary sculpting material was stone

-          Aztecs showed their deep religion through a variety of sculptures made of stones

-          Days were spent carving freestanding idols as well as relief wall sculptures to be placed within their temples.

o   The stone sculptures were created to represent their gods or the sacrificial victims.

§  Aztecs meticulously carved small realistic figures of animals and people out of jade, obsidian, and quartz.

 

Artistic Rituals:

-          Ceremonies and rituals such as sacrificial rituals formed are the most important part of all the Aztec culture, since culture is based on religion, thus making rituals the lifestyle of the Aztecs. 

-          Craftsmen were called upon to make items specialized for use in religious ceremonies;

o   Best examples include: Aztec masks and warrior art  

*Masks were used in religious ceremonies such as human sacrifice rituals

 

What did we Learn???

Art is just as important as religion or even survival for the Aztecs

 

Work Cited:

 

"The Aztecs." Aztec Indians. N.p., 2010. Web. 05 Nov. 2013.

 "Appealing--Aztec Masks." AvaxNews. Avax, n.d. Web. 05 Nov. 2013.

Mursell, Ian. "Mexicolore." Aztec Pottery. Mexicolore, 16 Nov. 2009. Web. 05 Nov. 2013.

 

 

 

Aztecs: Recognizable Artistic Geniuses

 

 

 

What was ancient Aztec art like?

The art of the Aztecs was influenced by hundreds or even thousands of years of artistry of this very culture.  Techniques and themes changed over time with little to no external influence from other cultures. 

Aztec art was primarily a form of religious expression and a means for paying tribute to one’s gods.

-          Although primarily a religious expression, art was also a means of communication for the Aztecs

o   Art such as pictographs can still be seen on the walls of their temples.

§  Pictographs were small pictures that represented objects or sounds

§  These Aztec drawings were used extensively within their counting system

-          The most famous and recognized Aztec pictograph is the Aztec calendar

o   365 Day calendar much like, if not identical, to our modern calendar

o   It is also a form of art

§  In the center, an image of an Aztec god is shown with extreme attention to detail.

 

 

       

Pottery:

-          Pottery of the Aztecs was not only useful to the Aztecs; it was an important religious craft within the Aztec arts.

-          Pottery of all shapes and sizes depicted a variety of designs that were meaningful to the Aztec culture and religion.

-          The designs typically placed on the pottery were meant to depict or pay reverence to specific Aztec gods or to represent an Aztec tribe.

o   Pottery could be as simple as a rustic plate, or elaborate like this pot:

*Noteworthy: all Aztec culture is strongly based upon religion                       : (not ancient Aztec plate)

 

Sculpture:

-          Primary sculpting material was stone

-          Aztecs showed their deep religion through a variety of sculptures made of stones

-          Days were spent carving freestanding idols as well as relief wall sculptures to be placed within their temples.

o   The stone sculptures were created to represent their gods or the sacrificial victims.

§  Aztecs meticulously carved small realistic figures of animals and people out of jade, obsidian, and quartz.

 

Artistic Rituals:

-          Ceremonies and rituals such as sacrificial rituals formed are the most important part of all the Aztec culture, since culture is based on religion, thus making rituals the lifestyle of the Aztecs. 

-          Craftsmen were called upon to make items specialized for use in religious ceremonies;

o   Best examples include: Aztec masks and warrior art  

*Masks were used in religious ceremonies such as human sacrifice rituals

 

What did we Learn???

Art is just as important as religion or even survival for the Aztecs

 

Work Cited:

 

"The Aztecs." Aztec Indians. N.p., 2010. Web. 05 Nov. 2013.

 "Appealing--Aztec Masks." AvaxNews. Avax, n.d. Web. 05 Nov. 2013.

Mursell, Ian. "Mexicolore." Aztec Pottery. Mexicolore, 16 Nov. 2009. Web. 05 Nov. 2013.