Activities and Resources

Who is the deity Tlaloc in Mesoamerica? What role does this divine being play in the Aztec pantheon? This video answers these questions by looking at a vessel showing the rain god Tlaloc in the Templo Mayor site museum in Mexico City. Its unmistakable turquoise color, called Maya Blue, is eye-catching and connects to the important role that Tlaloc played in Aztec religion. This video describes who Tlaloc was and what this deity symbolized for the Aztecs or Mexica in Mesoamerica. This short video is part of a series that breaks down key terms in art history, archaeology, and history! *CHAPTERS* 0:00 Who is Tlaloc and what role does he play in the Aztec pantheon? 0:27 Tlaloc’s blue color and features 0:45 Rain, caves, and the Templo Mayor Check out our entire glossary of art history: https://www.artsq.org/about-key-terms-ideas-art-history Speaker: Dr. Lauren Kilroy-Ewbank ---------------------------- *WANT TO LEARN MORE? HAVE A QUESTION?* http://artsq.org/ *INTERESTED IN SUPPORTING OUR WORK?* Become a patron to help us create materials for our channel! Patreon—https://www.patreon.com/ARTSQ *JOIN OUR COMMUNITIES ON SOCIAL* Instagram—https://www.instagram.com/artsq_official Facebook—https://www.facebook.com/ARTSQofficial #aztec #ArtHistory #mesoamerica #Glossary #Archaeology #SocialStudies #rain #Vocabulary #aztecs #art #tlaloc #educationalvideo #symbolism #mexico #mexicocity

What is tenebrism in art history? Italian baroque artists like Artemisia Gentlieschi and Caravaggio are known for using it for dramatic effect. This term describes paintings (and drawings and prints) that have stark contrasts of light and dark. Baroque realist artists employed tenebrism widely, not just in an Italy. Francisco de Zurbarán in Spain, Georges de La Tour in France, and many other artists used tenebrism. In this educational video, learn more about this term, part of a series that breaks down key terms in art history, archaeology, and history! *CHAPTERS* 0:00 Introduction to Artemisia Gentlieschi’s Judith with Her Maidservant 0:30 Tenebrism 1:03 The story of Judith and Holofernes 1:43 Adding drama 2:27 Other artists using tenebrism Speaker: Dr. Lauren Kilroy-Ewbank ---------------------------- *SUPPORT OUR WORK?* Become a patron to help us create materials for our channel! Patreon—https://www.patreon.com/ARTSQ *WANT TO LEARN MORE? HAVE A QUESTION?* http://artsq.org/ *JOIN OUR COMMUNITIES ON SOCIAL* Instagram—https://www.instagram.com/artsq_official Facebook—https://www.facebook.com/ARTSQofficial #arthistory #italy #baroque #painting #caravaggio #womenartists #paintingtechniques #history #learningisfun #artemisia #museum #glossary #educationalvideo #socialstudies #historyofart

What is a tzompantli (skull rack) and what role did it play in Mesoamerica cultures? In this video, we explore the concept of the tzompantli, a massive skull rack used by Mesoamerican groups like the Aztecs in ceremonial rituals. We discuss its significance, its use, and what it reveals about Aztec beliefs and practices. The video looks at the skull rack in the ceremonial precinct of the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan and at the ancient Maya site of Chichén Itzá. This video is part of a series that breaks down key terms in art history, archaeology, and history! *CHAPTERS* 0:00 Tzompantli and Mesoamerica 0:23 The Aztec (Mexica) tzompantli near the Templo Mayor in Tenochtitlan 0:59 The function of a skull rack 1:27 Other Mesoamerican tzompantli: The Maya version at Chichén Itzá 1:47 Possible connections to the ritual ballgame Speaker: Dr. Lauren Kilroy-Ewbank Check out our entire glossary of art history! https://www.artsq.org/about-key-terms-ideas-art-history ---------------------------- *SUPPORT OUR WORK?* Become a patron to help us create materials for our channel! Patreon—https://www.patreon.com/ARTSQ *WANT TO LEARN MORE? HAVE A QUESTION?* http://artsq.org/ *JOIN OUR COMMUNITIES ON SOCIAL* Instagram—https://www.instagram.com/artsq_official Facebook—https://www.facebook.com/ARTSQofficial #aztec #mesoamerica #arthistory #sacrifice #history #art #worldhistory #educationalvideo #learningisfun #glossary #socialstudies #chichenitza #mexico #symbolism #skull

This video defines the meaning of cliff dwelling, looking primarily at Mesa Verde National Park examples such as Cliff Palace and Balcony House. These cliff dwellings were built by the Ancestral Puebloans and are found throughout the Four Corners region of the United States. Speaker: Dr. Lauren Kilroy-Ewbank ------------------------------------------------- *SUPPORT OUR WORK?* Become a patron to help us create materials for our channel! We hope to be able to create more. Patreon—https://www.patreon.com/ARTSQ Check out our entire glossary of art history! https://www.artsq.org/about-key-terms-ideas-art-history ---------------------------- *JOIN OUR COMMUNITIES ON SOCIAL* Instagram—https://www.instagram.com/artsq_official Facebook—https://www.facebook.com/ARTSQofficial *WANT TO LEARN MORE? HAVE A QUESTION?* http://artsq.org/ #southwest #architecture #medieval #nativeamerican #mesaverde #ArtHistory #glossary #archaeology #SocialStudies #HistoryOfArt #EducationalVideos #history #nationalpark #nationalparks #cliff

Who were the amanteca (featherworkers) from Aztec Tenochtitlan? And why were featherworks so important? This video answers these questions by looking at various Aztec featherworks, including the so-called Penacho of Moctezuma II (feathered headdress) and shields (chimalli), as well as images of amanteca at work in The Florentine Codex. *If you like our work, please consider supporting our channel on Patreon! Most patrons receive a free custom sticker (of Mesoamerican art or ancient Japanese haniwa). Your support is so much appreciated, thank you!* https://www.patreon.com/ARTSQ One of the most important primary sources we have today to learn about the Aztec Empire, The Florentine Codex is a twelve-volume encyclopedia written in Spanish and Nahuatl and includes thousands of images. It devotes many images and pages to the craft of making featherworks, suggesting the importance of both the artisans who made them and the feathered objects themselves. This short video is part of a series that breaks down key terms in art history, archaeology, and history! *CHAPTERS* 0:00 Featherworks in the Aztec Empire 0:25 Who are the amanteca (featherworks)? 0:39 Amantla in Tenochtitlan 0:51 Making featherworks and Aztec tribute items 1:10 The types of bird feathers (quetzals, macaws, spoonbills, etc.) 1:27 The amanteca in The Florentine Codex Speaker: Dr. Lauren Kilroy-Ewbank Check out our entire glossary of art history: https://www.artsq.org/about-key-terms-ideas-art-history Check out the Digital Florentine Codex from The Getty Museum, https://florentinecodex.getty.edu/ ---------------------------- *WANT TO LEARN MORE? HAVE A QUESTION?* http://artsq.org/ *INTERESTED IN SUPPORTING OUR WORK?* Become a patron to help us create materials for our channel! Patreon—https://www.patreon.com/ARTSQ *JOIN OUR COMMUNITIES ON SOCIAL* Instagram—https://www.instagram.com/artsq_official Facebook—https://www.facebook.com/ARTSQofficial #Aztec #ArtHistory #Mesoamerica #glossary #feather #SocialStudies #birds #vocabulary #mexicanhistory #art #manuscripts #educationalvideo #mexico #medieval #history

What is horror vacui in art? A fear of empty spaces—this is the simplest definition of horror vacui, a term used to describe art. But what does that mean? This short educational video looks at the relief sculpture in the stunning Mexican Baroque church of Santo Domingo de Guzmán in Oaxaca City, Mexico—a tour de force of artistry in the Spanish colonial period (when Mexico was part of the Viceroyalty of New Spain). Be prepared to be totally overwhelmed by this incredible example of Oaxacan art! The video uses this space to define horror vacui and looks at comparative examples in art history, including an ivory pyxis from medieval Spain, the Mogao caves of Dunhuang, and a painting by Kehinde Wiley. We continue to expand our glossary of art history terms, focusing on symbols and subject matter, techniques, forms and formats, and architectural terms. *CHAPTERS* 0:00 Introduction to horror vacui at the Baroque church of Santo Domingo de Guzmán in Oaxaca 0:21 Defining horror vacui with the Book of Kells, an ivory pyxis, Kehinde Wiley, and Dunhuang 0:50 Horror Vacui explained at Santo Domingo 1:17 Does horror vacui imply chaos? 1:38 The genealogical tree of Saint Dominic (Santo Domingo) 2:05 The Dominicans in Oaxaca 2:25 Horror vacui throughout the church Speaker: Dr. Lauren Kilroy-Ewbank ---------------------------- *SUPPORT OUR WORK?* Become a patron to help us create materials for our channel! Patreon—https://www.patreon.com/ARTSQ *WANT TO LEARN MORE? HAVE A QUESTION?* http://artsq.org/ *JOIN OUR COMMUNITIES ON SOCIAL* Instagram—https://www.instagram.com/artsq_official Facebook—https://www.facebook.com/ARTSQofficial #baroque #arthistory #horrorvacui #glossaryofart #artterms #oaxaca #mexico #baroqueart #religiousart #artanalysis #historicalsite #artexplained #historyofart #arttechniques #learningisfun

This beautifully decorated medieval ivory box is known as the Pyxis of al-Mughira. What is a pyxis? This video defines the term pyxis and discusses its function and material. This specific pyxis was created in the 10th century in medieval Iberia (Spain and Portugal) when it was known as al-Andalus. Boxes like these were often given as gifts, and this one may have been a gift for the Umayyad prince al-Mughira. We continue to expand our glossary of art history terms, focusing on symbols and subject matter, techniques, forms and formats, and architectural terms. Please support our work as a patron to help us create materials for our channel! Patreon—https://www.patreon.com/ARTSQ Main object: Pyxis of al-Mughira, 968 CE / AH 357, ivory, 16cm x 11.8 cm, possibly from Madinat al-Zahra in Spain. Louvre Museum, Paris. *CHAPTERS* 0:00 Introduction to the Pyxis of al-Mughira 0:15 Defining Pyxis 0:44 Pyxides in the Ancient Mediterranean 0:56 The Umayyads and the Iberian Peninsula 1:16 Luxury objects and ivory 2:02 A gift for the Umayyad Prince al-Mughira Speaker: Dr. Lauren Kilroy-Ewbank ---------------------------- *SUPPORT OUR WORK?* Become a patron to help us create materials for our channel! Patreon—https://www.patreon.com/ARTSQ *WANT TO LEARN MORE? HAVE A QUESTION?* http://artsq.org/ *JOIN OUR COMMUNITIES ON SOCIAL* Instagram—https://www.instagram.com/artsq_official Facebook—https://www.facebook.com/ARTSQofficial #iberia #medieval #arthistory #umayyad #andalusia #pyxis #islamichistory #ivory #medievalart #spain #historyofart #learningisfun #middleages #historyfacts #medievalhistory

What is a roof comb? To answer that question, this video examines a roof comb on Structure 33 from the ancient Maya city-state of Yaxchilán in Chiapas, Mexico. Roof combs are one of the main elements in ancient Maya architecture. The video describes a roof comb and how it functioned in ancient Maya architecture. This short video is part of a series that breaks down key terms in art history, archaeology, and history! *CHAPTERS* 0:00 What is a roof comb? 0:45 Roof combs and the ancient Maya in Mesoamerica 1:23 Structure 33 and its roof comb at Yaxchilán Check out our entire glossary of art history! https://www.artsq.org/about-key-terms-ideas-art-history Speaker: Dr. Lauren Kilroy-Ewbank ---------------------------- *WANT TO LEARN MORE? HAVE A QUESTION?* http://artsq.org/ *INTERESTED IN SUPPORTING OUR WORK?* Become a patron to help us create materials for our channel! Patreon—https://www.patreon.com/ARTSQ *JOIN OUR COMMUNITIES ON SOCIAL* Instagram—https://www.instagram.com/artsq_official Facebook—https://www.facebook.com/ARTSQofficial #maya #arthistory #mesoamerica #history #ancienthistory #mayans #educationalvideo #learningisfun #glossary #socialstudies #historyofart #mexico #architecture #vocabulary #ancientamericas