Native Mesoamerican and South American Art

Question 1

3 case studies

Answer 1

Aztec-Mexica, Moche Civilisation, Inca Empire

Question 2

Aztec-Mexica context and main art forms

Answer 2

Aztec-Mexica empire the last and largest precolumbian state in Mesoamerica, conquered by Hernan Cortes’ small army of Spanish Conquistadores, very expansive state, driven by a religious ideology demanding victory and human sacrifices.
Large stone figure, reclining Chacmool figures, ceramic figures and effigy vessels, stonework masks.

Question 3

Moche art context and main art forms

Answer 3

Moche/Mochica are a number of autonomous city-states rather than an empire which are unified by a shared language, related art styles, the same religion and a common culture of kinship. Practiced the building of pyramids, predatory raiding and human sacrifice.
Portrait vessels, huaca friezes, fineline ceramic paintings and erotic pottery

Question 4

Inca art context and main art forms

Answer 4

Multiple ethnic empire governed from Cusco, expanded into a federal monarchical state with four regional governments, economy based around maize and potato cultivation, vast majority of the empire was at a high altitude in the Andes. A non-literate empire.
Royal mummies, child sacrifices, advanced gold and silver work, ceremonial drinking cups (Qiry, Kero, Quero)