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Aztec Captives and the Great Temple of Huitzilopochtli – 1734 Mexico Engraving
About the Item
Aztec Captives and the Great Temple of Huitzilopochtli – Rare 1734 Mexico Engraving
This 1734 copperplate engraving presents a vivid interpretation of Aztec warfare, ritual combat, and monumental architecture, as imagined by European artists in the early Enlightenment period. Published in the widely circulated series *Les Cérémonies et Coutumes Religieuses de tous les Peuples du Monde*, the print is composed of three panels that together form a compelling—though often romanticized—visual narrative of Mexica ceremonial life.
The two upper panels depict scenes of captives in the context of Aztec warfare and sacrifice. The left panel, titled *Captif couché après avoir été vaincu* (“Captive laid down after being defeated”), shows a subdued prisoner lying on the ground under the watch of others. The moment is frozen in time, heavy with tension and ritual significance. To the right, *Captif combattant contre un Prêtre Mexicain* (“Captive fighting against a Mexican priest”) illustrates a dramatic duel, with the priest wielding a weapon and shield, possibly enacting a ritualized form of sacrificial combat. Such representations were inspired by European accounts of the Aztec gladiatorial sacrifice, where captives would symbolically fight before their eventual death.
The lower panel provides a broad and highly imaginative cityscape view of *Le Grand Temple de Vitziliputsi dans la ville de Mexique* (“The Great Temple of Huitzilopochtli in the city of Mexico”). At the center of this panoramic composition is the towering twin-temple pyramid structure of the Templo Mayor, the heart of Tenochtitlan, the Aztec capital. The temple is flanked by ceremonial courtyards, surrounded by a gridded city layout with European-style architecture, a common anachronism in 18th-century prints attempting to depict ancient cities. Despite inaccuracies, the rendering conveys the awe and scale attributed to Aztec religious life and urban organization.
While not ethnographically precise, the engraving reveals how early modern Europeans visualized the complex culture of the Aztecs—with fascination, reverence, and fear. The scenes emphasize themes of sacrifice, heroism, and monumental architecture, filtered through a Baroque sense of theatricality.
Condition is very good. The engraving retains a strong impression with fine detail throughout. There is mild toning and scattered foxing near the edges, and the right margin shows light wear. No tears or repairs are visible.
Framing is best approached with a tall rectangular format using an off-white mat to highlight the three stacked compositions. A black or dark brown frame with UV-protective glazing is recommended to preserve the crispness of the original linework.
- Dimensions:Height: 16.54 in (42 cm)Width: 10.24 in (26 cm)Depth: 0.01 in (0.2 mm)
- Materials and Techniques:Paper,Engraved
- Period:1730-1739
- Date of Manufacture:1734
- Condition:Condition is very good. The engraving retains a strong impression with fine detail throughout. There is mild toning and scattered foxing near the edges, and the right margin shows light wear. No tears or repairs are visible.
- Seller Location:Langweer, NL
- Reference Number:Seller: BG-13806-531stDibs: LU3054345019882
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