Anonymous, Mexican School (17th Century)

Private Collection, Chicago circa 1950s
Private Collection, Colorado acquired from the above circa 1979

This large and early picture has been restored but not cleaned. While it is presentable and the paint layer is stable, the picture still retains a visible layer of old dirt and varnish, which limits one’s appreciation of the color of the work. The painting is originally made from two pieces of canvas with the vertical join running through the right side. There is another join through the ankles of the figure on the right which adds a third small square of canvas in the lower right. The primary piece of canvas has fairly extensive fillings around the edges, particularly the left and bottom edge. If the picture were cleaned, restorations would be removed, but these are not so useful as to be irreplaceable. The original paint layer is not abraded, and although there is some canvas texture visible in the darker colors, what can be seen is mostly a very healthy original paint layer. There are restorations and losses, which are all visible to the naked eye. This painting would improve noticeably if it were properly restored. (This condition report has been provided courtesy of Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc.)
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.

Moctezuma II and Cuauhtemoc were the last emperors of the Aztec Empire. They both belonged to the Mexica, a people from the north of Mexico who, according to legend, wandered southwards for two centuries until they came to the valley of Mexico, in the center of the country. One of the priests had a dream that when they saw an eagle on a nopal cactus devouring  snake, they had reached the promised land. This happened in the valley of Mexico and they founded Tenochitlan, present day Mexico City, on the lake of Texcoco. The city they built on an island in the lake was a wonder, with causeways linking it to the mainland, floating gardens, stone buildings, temples and palaces set on a grid pattern. To this day, the eagle, serpent and cactus are found at the center of the Mexican flag.

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.