Lady K'abal Xook (Lady Xoc) on Lintel 25 from Yaxchilán
The ancient Maya queen Lady K’abal Xook (Lady Xoc) of Yaxchilan appears on three of the most famous examples of Maya art (and Mesoamerican art!), including Lintel 25. Find out why!
Elizabeth Catlett, Sharecropper
This video examines Elizabeth Catlett's powerful linocut print, "Sharecropper," created after her move to Mexico City in 1946 to work at the Taller de Gráfica Popular.
How to Do a Visual Analysis in Art History: A Formal Analysis of Sculpture
This video explains how to do a visual analysis (formal analysis) of a sculpture—the Mexica (Aztec) statue of Coatlicue.
What is an atlatl?
This video focuses on what an atlatl, or spearthrower, is in Mesoamerica.
Zapotec Funerary Urns in Mesoamerica: Inside Ancient Mexican Tombs
Zapotec funerary urns are unique to ancient Mexico.
Lady Sak K'uk', Queen of Palenque
Who is the ancient Maya queen Lady Sak K’uk’ of Palenque?
What is a mural?
Explore murals featuring the incredible work of early 20th-century artist José Clemente Orozco in Mexico City.
The largest pyramid in the world
The largest pyramid in the world isn’t in Egypt. Do you know where it is?
The death mask of the most famous ancient Maya king
When archaeologists managed to slide the lid off a sarcophagus and look inside, they found Pakal’s body covered in jade ornaments. A jade mask covered Pakal’s face. And all of these helped to transform him into the Maize God!
Tlatilco culture and an ancient fish figurine in Mesoamerica
Dive into the captivating world of ancient Central Mexico with a vibrant figurine showing a fish!
Bones and the Zapotec at ancient Monte Albán | Mesoamerican Art
Get to know a little about bones in art and ancient Zapotec culture at Monte Albán in Oaxaca, Mexico.
The most famous Aztec artwork: The Sun Stone or “Calendar Stone”
The most famous Aztec artwork—the “Calendar Stone” or Sun Stone, today in Mexico City’s National Museum of Anthropology
Famous paintings everyone should know: Miguel Cabrera’s Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz
It's a painting everyone should know but probably doesn't! The portrait of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz was painted by the most famous artist of New Spain (colonial Mexico) in the 18th century.
Visiting Mexico City with kids
We visited many fantastic museums and historic sites during our week in Mexico City, with kids in tow. Even if you have never been to Mexico City and speak little to no Spanish, have no fear! It is a navigable city with a lot to do in a few areas.
Close Looking at surrealist artist Leonora Carrington's Self-Portrait with Rocking Horse
Is that a hyena, a rocking horse, and monster claws?
Miguel Cabrera, Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, c. 1750
It's a painting everyone should know but probably doesn't! The portrait of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz was painted by the most famous artist of New Spain (colonial Mexico) in the 18th century.
Amazing Art of the Aztecs in Mexico City
Learn about experiencing the amazing art of the Aztecs with kids from an expert who has traveled there with her kids.
Discovering an ancient Maya king’s tomb at Palenque
Deep in the thick rainforest of Chiapas, Mexico, archaeologist Alberto Ruz Lhuillier would stumble upon one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the twentieth while digging at the ancient Maya site of Palenque: the tomb and sarcophagus of the ruler K’inich Janaab’ Pakal.