- 6
Anonymous, Mexican School (17th Century)
Description
- Anonymous, Mexican School
- Portrait of Moctezuma y Cuahutemoc
- inscribed Moctezuma and Quahutemoc lower center; also inscribed El grande emperador y Monarca Moctezuma.../...en cuyo tiempo entraron los españoles el año de 1519 y lo recibió y aloxó con mucha paz y esplendor.../...se pintó en lienzo siendo gobernador don.../ lower center
- oil on canvas
- 66 3/4 by 49 1/4 in.
- 169.5 by 125 cm
Provenance
Private Collection, Colorado acquired from the above circa 1979
Condition
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
Catalogue Note
When Hernan Cortés landed on the coast of Mexico in 1518, he made his way over the mountains to Tenochitlan. On the way his meager ranks were swelled by the Tlaxcatecas, a people who had been displaced by the Aztecs. The emperor Moctezuma II greeted Cortés on the causeway to the city and invited him in. The situation quickly degenerated and the Spaniards and their allies took over the city during which time Moctezuma II died.
In 1520 there was an Aztec uprising in the city lead by the new Emperor Cuauhtemoc, Moctezuma II's nephew. The rebellion was squashed by the Spaniards and
Cuauhtemoc was killed on a expedition to the south. It is interesting that Cuauhtemoc's wife was Moctezuma's daughter. She survived her husband and father and converted to Christianity taking the name of Isabel Moctezuma. She had a daughter by Cortés whom she disowned, and then married two Spaniards to become one of the richest women in Mexico in her own right, through inheritance and land grants from the Spanish throne.
This rare early depiction of the two emperors shows them regally attired with a combination of european breastplates and Aztec ceremonial dress with the amazing feather work which was one of the highest arts in the Mexican tradition. They are represented very respectfully and regally with attends holding feather shades over their heads their bodies adorned with gold.