Mexican Wall-Painting of the Maya and Aztec Periods

These frescoes of ancient Mexico were executed at the height of the classical Maya period, between the 4th and the 10th centuries. They achieve their highest form of expression at Bonampak which has only recently been excavated in the depths of an impenetrable jungle.

A Maya city of the 7th century is perfectly portrayed for us at Bonampak. We see its religious ceremonies and processions, its stiff and solemn dignitaries weighed down by their heavy plumed robes, its warriors clothed in jaguar skins. Here, lively or violent scenes stand beside familiar, gracious pictures of family life.