The painted urns of the Maya recorded for
posterity the myths, legends, ceremonies and
beliefs of that ancient empire. With fluid line and
brilliant colors, that artist depicted the coming
and going of mortals and gods: court ceremony,
religious ritual, fantastic stories. Though
humans figure prominently, the action is
sometimes mysterious, undecipherable as a
dream. A continuous frieze of six figures
decorates this superb vase. Some seem comical,
some regal, some are clearly human, others are
surely gods. As we hold such an object, our
imagination is set free to wander, inventing a
plot for this ancient drama.
- (PF.1416)
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