![]() He is bedecked with rich clothing and jewelry, made of materials likely traded over long distances and worked by specialized artisans. ![]() The depiction of Jasaw Chan K’awiil emphasizes his wealth, power, and performance. The colors used in this image are not the actual colors that were once painted on the stela, but are used here to help readers see the stela. This extravagant representation of the king reveals layers of meaning about his wealth and power-and the rituals he completed as ruler related to time and the maintenance of world order.Īnnotated image of Stela 16, Tikal. Maya artists carved this stela during the Classic period (c. The Maya of Mesoamerica were no exception: Tikal Stela 16 is an example of a royal portrait stela, and it depicts Jasaw Chan K’awiil, a ruler of Tikal, an important Maya city in what is today Guatemala. ![]() From Augustus of Primaporta to contemporary presidential portraits, rulers throughout history have commissioned works that depict them as they want to be seen. The idea of creating a flawless image of yourself is not a new one. Have you ever used an Instagram filter to make someone or something appear more perfect? When we post on social media, we can use filters to digitally manipulate images, removing some features and emphasizing others. (Classic Period), Tikal, Guatemala, 3.5 x 1.28 m (photo: Dennis Jarvis, CC BY-SA 2.0)Ī number of important polities struggled for power, and rulers used steles to display their importance and achievements.
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