Rubbing from Meso American Bas Relief
Collection: Houston Public Library (HPL)
Chalk on Paper
Location:
Houston Public Library Central Branch Art Vault
500 McKinney St
Houston, TX 77002
About the Artwork:
Rubbing from Meso American Bas Relief
by unknown
Rubbing, or frottage, is a reproduction of an artwork by placing paper over it and rubbing something, such as charcoal, ink, or chalk, to copy the marks, making a copy of patterns and inscriptions on gravestones, archaeological artifacts, bas-reliefs, etc. This piece is a chalk rubbing of a Mesoamerican bas-relief, or sculpture made by carving a design that slightly rises from its material. Mesoamerica refers to the history and culture of indigenous peoples of the southern part of North America to Central America before colonization. Specifically, the artwork records an event in Mayan history wherein Ajaw (a member of a class of nobles) Itzam K’an Ahk II, seated on a throne, speaking to a group; interpretations include that K’an Ahk II is designating his heir and/or celebrating his first k’atun, or 7,200 days, of his reign over Piedras Negras. Piedras Negras was a city within Mayan civilization in northwestern Guatemala. However, the original panel, carved from limestone, was discovered with many of the heads and figures already destroyed. Archaeologists attempted to recreate the original in paintings using headdresses in the style of the day. This artwork seems to be a copy of a restoration separate from the original.
Frotado de un bajorrelieve mesoamericano
por desconocido
Rubbing from Meso American Bas Relief
by unknown
Rubbing, or frottage, is a reproduction of an artwork by placing paper over it and rubbing something, such as charcoal, ink, or chalk, to copy the marks, making a copy of patterns and inscriptions on gravestones, archaeological artifacts, bas-reliefs, etc. This piece is a chalk rubbing of a Mesoamerican bas-relief, or sculpture made by carving a design that slightly rises from its material. Mesoamerica refers to the history and culture of indigenous peoples of the southern part of North America to Central America before colonization. Specifically, the artwork records an event in Mayan history wherein Ajaw (a member of a class of nobles) Itzam K’an Ahk II, seated on a throne, speaking to a group; interpretations include that K’an Ahk II is designating his heir and/or celebrating his first k’atun, or 7,200 days, of his reign over Piedras Negras. Piedras Negras was a city within Mayan civilization in northwestern Guatemala. However, the original panel, carved from limestone, was discovered with many of the heads and figures already destroyed. Archaeologists attempted to recreate the original in paintings using headdresses in the style of the day. This artwork seems to be a copy of a restoration separate from the original.
Frotado de un bajorrelieve mesoamericano
por desconocido
El frotamiento, o frottage, es una reproducción de una obra de arte colocando papel sobre ella y frotando algo, como carbón, tinta, o tiza, para copiar las marcas, haciendo una copia de patrones e inscripciones en lápidas, artefactos arqueológicos, bajorrelieves, etc. Esta obra es un frotado con tiza de un bajorrelieve mesoamericano, o escultura realizada tallando un diseño que se eleva ligeramente de su material. Mesoamérica se refiere a la historia y cultura de los pueblos indígenas de la parte sur de América del Norte hasta América Central antes de la colonización. Específicamente, la obra de arte registra un evento en la historia maya en el que Ajaw (un miembro de una clase de nobles) Itzam K’an Ahk II, sentado en un trono, habla a un grupo; las interpretaciones incluyen que K’an Ahk II está designando a su heredero y/o celebrando su primer k’atun, o 7.200 días, de su reinado sobre Piedras Negras. Piedras Negras fue una ciudad dentro de la civilización maya en el noroeste de Guatemala. Sin embargo, el panel original, tallado en piedra caliza, fue descubierto con muchas de las cabezas y figuras ya destruidas. Los arqueólogos intentaron recrear el original en pinturas utilizando tocados al estilo de la época. Esta obra parece ser una copia de una restauración independiente del original.