Synopses & Reviews
The volume offers a complete and striking picture of the New World before its discovery by Christopher
Columbus, and of the magnificent civilizations overrun and destroyed by the Spanish conquerors in the
early 16th century: covering the fabulous empire of the Incas in Peru to the Mayan civilization on the
high plateaux of Guatemala, the Olmec and Aztec cultures in Mexico to the populations of the Amazon
territories.
The volume is not only the complete catalogue of the pre-Columbian art collection of the
Barbier-Mueller Museum, but also a point of reference for pre-Columbian studies: the introductory text
by Octavio Paz is followed by Jean Paul Barbier's essays, which provide a minute reconstruction of
Christopher Colombus' expeditions, the discovery of the New World, the conquest of Mexico and Peru by
Cortés and Pizarro.
The second part of the book is devoted to the art of Central America, ancient Peru, Amazonia and Upper
Amazonia, studying the cultures of the various countries, and reconstructing their traditions,
religious rites, and political and social organization in the millenia preceding their discovery by
Colombus. The last part of the book features a wealth of photographic material and information on the
works in the museum, of the greatest archaeological and artistic relevance, dating from 1150-550 B.C.
to the 16th century A.D.
250 illustrations
Synopsis
A complete catalogue of the pre-Columbian art collection of the Barbier-Mueller Museum and also a reference work for pre-Columbian studies. An introduction by Octavio Paz is followed by a selection of Jean Paul Barbier's essays covering Christopher Columbus' expeditions, the discovery of the New World and the conquest of Mexico and Peru by Cortes and Pizarro. The second part of the book is devoted to the art of Central America (Henri Stierlin), of ancient Peru (Daniele Lavallee), of Amazonia (Iris Barry), studying the cultures of the various countries, and reconstructing their traditions, religious rites, and political and social organization in the millenia preceding their discovery by Columbus. The last part of the book features a wealth of photographic material and information on the works in the museum.