The Conquest in Art

Since this year is the 500th anniversary of the fall of the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlán to the Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés, it is appropriate that the Franz Mayer Museum has put together a special exhibit called "Artistic Stories of the Conquest".  Although there was a very tenuous connection between the conquest and some of the pieces, it was an interesting exhibition.

Hernán Cortés

1792 print from a series called "Portraits of Illustrious Spaniards"

This "biombo" (folding screen) created in the late 1600s is painted with scenes from the conquest of Mexico on one side.

On the other side is a painting of Mexico City as it appeared in the 17th century.

Also from the late 1600s is this series of wooden panels, painted by an unknown artist, with scenes from the conquest.  The scenes are not in chronological order.

Cortés disembarks on the island of Cozumel

(Gee, I never knew that Cozumel was that mountainous!)

The death of Montezuma

According to some accounts, the Aztec emperor was stoned to death by his own people for his complicity with the Spaniards.

The defeat of the conquistador's armies and flight

Without the protection of Montezuma, the Spanish found themselves defenseless against the Aztec forces and were forced to make a disastrous retreat out Tenochtitlán.  The event came to be known as "La Noche Triste" (the Sad Night).  

Of course the Spanish regrouped, laid siege to the city, and were eventually victorious.  I find it odd the the painter did not include the Spanish victory that in his series.

The meeting of Cortés and Montezuma

This final scene is out chronological order.  When Cortés and his army arrived at Tenochtitlán, Montezuma welcomed them into the city.

When Cortés arrived on the coast of Mexico, Montezuma had his messengers take gifts to the newcomers.  The scene is portrayed in this 18th century painting.

A very fanciful depiction of the main Aztec temple in a French print from the 18th century.

An 18th painting showing the four chieftains of Tlaxcala with the Spanish coat of arms

It must be remembered that Cortés and his army did not defeat the Aztecs on their own.  They had the help several tribes, notably the Tlaxcalans, who wished to defeat their Aztec enemies. 

Below are two representations of Santiago (St. James the Apostle), the patron saint of Spain.

According to lore, the saint miraculously appeared before the Spanish armies and led them to victory against the Moors.  (The saint is often referred to as "Santiago Matamoros", St. James the Moor Slayer.)  Years after the Conquest of Mexico, it was claimed that St. James had also appeared before the army of Cortés fighting against the Aztecs.

18th century painting of the Virgin of Los Remedios

It is said that Cortés carried with him a small statue of the Virgin of Los Remedios on his expedition of conquest.  Stories later circulated that she too appeared to help the Spanish against the Aztecs.

A late 16th century statue of St. Michael the Archangel

In the 17th century, writers who viewed the conquest as the providence of God, compared Cortés to St. Michael.  Just as the archangel had battled with the devil, Cortés had fought against the pagan Aztecs.

The final defeat of the Aztecs took place on August 13, 1521.

In the Church calendar, August 13 is the Day of St. Hippolytus.  As a result, St. Hippolytus became the patron saint of Mexico City.

In this painting, done in 1746 by an unknown artist, both Spaniards and Aztecs pray before the saint.  Notice that Hippolytus is depicted astride an eagle which is perched atop a cactus... the imagery associated with the founding of the Aztec city of Tenochtitlán and which later became a part of the coat of arms of the nation of Mexico.