Name/Title
EngravingEntry/Object ID
1986.10.007Description
Engravings from "Histoire Generale des Ceremonies", Benard Picart. Engraving on paper Amsterdam, Holland. 1720-1730.
Four views on one sheet.
Upper left view titled, "Convoi Funebre dos Mexiquains". (Translation, "Funeral Procession of the Mexicans (Indians). Depicts many mostly-nude villagers, mainly males. The villagers in the very front of the scene are carrying things - one carries a pot with a lid on it and a bunch of round objects strung together, possibly a necklace; another carries a flat object with a design on top of it; another has a large bowl he carries on his head filled with other bottles, vases, or bowls. In the background there is a group of villagers carrying a man on a stretcher. Farther in the background, bodies are being burned on a bed of fire. One is being carried to the fire on a stretcher. Clouds of smoke; group of five nude men to left of fire; three men in skirts at far left; mountains in the distance.
Upper right view titled, "Presens Queiles Mexiquains Font a Leurs Morts". (Translation, "Gifts that the Mexicans Make to Their Dead".) Depicts a naked man probably dead, lying on a type of carpet on the floor. Platter of jewelry and vessel with one handle beside him; one man in doorway carrying a crown-shaped vessel; another man in room leaning over, holding a spear and a large goblet-shaped vessel, possibly having poured something out of it. Both men clothed with cloth bands around their heads. A large sign or symbol with spears, bow, a horn, and a spear carrier protruding from its circular centeris stuck from the ground on a spear. Several bowl-shaped vessels and/or storage jars are standing against far wall. Two people are looking in doorway at left.
Bottom left view titled, "Les Habitans de Venezuela Boivent les Cendres de Leurs Caciques Apes Avoir Brule Leurs Corps". (Translation, "The Inhabitants of Venezuela Drink the Ashes of Their 'Cacignes' After Burning Their Corpses". Depicts men putting possibly ashes from the ground into goblets and other receptacles (six men with headdresses of either leaves or feathers, one on far right carrying torch). Various objects on ground in front of them. Bed of fire in background with body on it. Men standing with their arms raised around fire; one sitting holding torch; clouds of smoke rising. Mountain visible in distance.
Bottom right view titled, "Les Habitans de Venezuela Pleurent sur le Corps de Leurs Caciques". (Translation, "The Inhabitants of Venezuela Weep Over the Body of Their 'Caciques' ". Depicts a group of eleven people, two of which are women, standing around a body of a man lying on the ground. One man carrying torch; one woman leaning over body with arm outstretched; several villagers have their arms raised; one man at right kneeling on one knee. Torch propped on rock in front. Trees and sky with crescent moon in background.Dimensions
Height
15-1/8 inWidth
9-3/8 inDimension Notes
Sheet: 15 1/8"x 9 3/8"
View: 6"x 4"