Description

Feathered Serpent (20x30inches) is inspired by my trip to Mexico city where I learned about the gods of indigenous people of the region. The feathered serpent is a deity called Quetzalcoatl among the Aztecs, Kukulkan among the Yucatec Maya, and Q’uq’umatz and Tohil among the K’iche’ Maya. The Aztec feathered serpent deity known as Quetzalcoatl is known from several Aztec codices, such as the Florentine codex, as well as from the records of the Spanish conquistadors. Quetzalcoatl was known as the deity of wind and rain. In the Popol Vuh, the K’iche’ feathered serpent god Tepeu Q’uq’umatz is the creator of the cosmos.

The god Quetzalcóatl, although he could take on human form transformed into a feathered serpent, was commonly represented as a rattlesnake covered in elongated, overlapping feathers instead of the snake scales. These feathers are the iridescent turquoise-green plumage of the quetzal, a bird highly appreciated by the Mesoamerican peoples. The excavated sculptures of the serpent or snake have a unique stylization I’ve never seen before that I wanted to put it into my drawing. Reminiscent of a dragon, also stylized head of the deity decorated the pyramid in the Teotihuacan -most important political and religious center erected in 150-200 AD (now about 30 km away from Mexico-city).

In recent excavations, archeologists have found mass-burials of sacrificed people dressed as warriors buried inside the pyramid. The number of victims and the symmetrical arrangement of sacrificed bodies indicate that the building and the rituals were in direct relationship to the culture’s astronomy, agriculture and calendar.

size 20×30 inches, Original colored pencil drawing on archival art board, Lightfast colored pencils, Fixed with UV-protecting fixative

Price excludes framing, UV-protective, non-glare plexiglass is highly recommended.

A certificate of authenticity guarantees the provenance

Delivery time & shipping:

This colored pencil drawing ships flat from my studio in Naples, Florida via FedEx ground or other requested service. The artwork ships within a week after receiving payment in full. If it requires framing, please allow for additional 4-week turnaround. Payment plans are available. I can send you a bill via PayPal to complete the transaction. International shipping is available to some countries. To receive a quote e-mail to nika@veronicasart.com 

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