Conquest of Mexico: Sacrifice of the Spaniards

In the upper part of this scene painted by Juan and Miguel González, together with 23 others and destined for Charles II, some Indians are shown eating the remains of bodies. In the foreground are two groups of warriors. On the right, the Mexicans are holding up the heads of Spanish soldiers as a warning of what might happen to the rest of the army, which is depicted on the left side of the composition. The work is executed using the technique of “enconchado”. This is applied to a wooden support lined with linen cloth, sometimes with a gesso preparation, sometimes with animal glue, then fragments of nacre are applied and covered with the pictorial layer.

Collection: Images

Project: 6. Under a cloak of terror: violence and armed conflict in Europe., 9. Travels and travelers: economic, social and cultural connections.

Chronology: XVI

Scope: Secondary education, Baccalaureate, University

Link: http://ceres.mcu.es/pages/Main?idt=122&inventary=00121&table=FMUS&museum=MAM

Resource type: Image

Format: Oil on panel (97 x 53 cm)

Source: Museo de América (Madrid, España)

Language: Spanish

Date: 1698

Owner: Álvaro Romero González (Modernalia)