Moctezuma Aztec Ruler – Exhibition Overview

British Museum Show Looks at Leadership and Defeat of Great Emperor

Sep 24, 2009

The BM's lastest blockbuster exhibition explores Moctezuma II, the blood-thirsty times of his rulership, Spanish invasion, and the mystery surrounding the Emperor's death

Moctezuma: Aztec Ruler is the fourth in a series of shows exploring great rulers to be held at the British Museum. The three previous leaders were Qin Shihuangdi, Hadrian Empire and Conflict and Shah Abbas.

The exhibition, which explores all aspects of Moctezuma's (aka Montezuma) leadership, defeat and death, features oil paintings, a model of the Great Temple, stone thrones and sculptures, gold jewellery and jewelled items, mosaic masks and codices. The items on display come from the British Museum's own collections supplemented by loans by Mexican, European and American institutions.

Moctezuma – Highlights of the Exhibition

Moctezuma – An Idealised Portrait

Moctezuma is introduced by an idealised European portrait attributed to the Mexican artist Antonio Rodriguez. It was sent as a gift, in the 17th Century, to the Medici Court in Florence, to help promote an idealised image of the Emperor. He is shown as a proud figure with a commanding presence. He wears the headdress, cloak, loin cloth, ear-spools, lip plug, and arm- and leg-bands which are recognised elements of pre-Hispanic costume. The feathered shield and spear were traditional adornments of warrior-kings.

Teocalli of Sacred Warfare

Another important piece is the Teocalli of Sacred Warfare commissioned by Moctezuma himself. This is a magnificent monument dedicated to sacred warfare. It reveals basic elements of the Mexica world view and Moctezuma's place within it.

The monument, sculpted in the shape of a pyramid-temple (teocalli), would have been located in one of the major temples, perhaps the Great Temple. The gods carved on its various surfaces represent a charter for war and conquest. Moctezuma himself is depicted impersonating a god.

The Teocalli may have been used by Moctezuma to celebrate the New Fire ceremony of 1507. The ceremony was conducted by priests to mark the end of a 52-year cycle. The Fire Priests would process from Tenochtitlan towards the summit of Mount Huixachtlan (the Hill of the Star). On the eve of the first day of the New Year a victim was sacrificed and his heart removed. A Fire Priest would then drill fire from a board placed on the victim's open chest. The last New Fire ceremony was celebrated in 1507 during Moctezuma's reign.

Sacrificial Knife

Plain knives were used for hunting, food preparation and warfare, but the more decorative items, like this one, were probably reserved for ceremonial use or ritual sacrifices.

Close examination has revealed that the blade of this knife is not deeply embedded in the handle and no traces of blood were found on it. This may indicate that the item was not strong enough for ritual sacrifices. Nevertheless, it is a fascinating exhibit.

The handle is carved from a single piece of wood and shows a man wearing Eagle warrior regalia. The Eagles were one of the highest military orders. The handle is decorated with mosaic made from malachite, turquoise and four types of shell: red Spondylus (thorny oyster), white Strombus (conch), pink Stombus gigas (queen conch) and iridescent Pinctada (mother-of-pearl).

Double-Headed Serpent

Also on display is a double-headed serpent, which may have been sent as a gift to the Spanish invader Hernán Cortés. The Serpent was carved from a single piece of wood and covered with inlaid mosaic of turquoise. The fangs are made of conch shell, and the red shell of the thorny oyster is used for the gums and nostrils. Two holes suggest that the object may have been suspended on the chest of the wearer – perhaps an impersonator of the god Huizilopochtl.

Mosaic Mask of Quetzalcoatl

Moctezuma, and his subjects, worshipped a plethora of gods such as Quetzalcoatl (‘the feathered serpent’) and the rain god, Tlaloc. This mask, carved from a single piece of wood, features two serpents of blue and green turquoise mosaic entwined over the nose and around the mouth. The teeth are created from white conch shell. The mask may represent either Quetzalcoatl or Tlaloc. Both gods are associated with snakes. The mask may have been a gift from Moctezuma to Hernán Cortés.

The exhibition is accompanied by a 256-page catalogue featuring over 200 colour illustrations. Colin McEwan and Leonardo López Luján, co-editors of the publication, present up-to-date research findings together with details of the latest archaeological discoveries in present-day Mexico City. The book considers the key events of Moctezuma's leadership from both Mexican and Spanish perspectives.

An additional, closely related display, Revolution on Paper: Mexican Prints 1910-1960 will coincide with Moctezuma – Aztec Ruler. The show will feature prints by Mexican artists Diego Rivera, José Clemente Orozco, David Alfaro Siqueiros and others. This show will be open from 22nd October 2009 to 5th April 2010.

The copyright of the article Moctezuma Aztec Ruler – Exhibition Overview in Art Galleries/Museums is owned by Frances Spiegel. Permission to republish Moctezuma Aztec Ruler – Exhibition Overview in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.