Saint's Shirt c. 1965

This is a hand-woven cotton shirt made by Maya artists, though its precise origins and age remain unknown. The vertical stripes in hues of red, pink, and blue, punctuated by delicate stitch-like patterns, speak to a rich tradition of textile production deeply embedded in Maya culture. But what does it mean to call this a "Saint's Shirt?" The museum title frames the garment within a history of religious conversion imposed during colonization. Textiles were not merely clothing, but powerful signifiers of Maya identity and social status. The imposition of European clothing norms was a deliberate attempt to erase cultural difference. By re-interpreting indigenous clothing with the label of "Saint's Shirt," were local people embracing or subverting colonial power? To truly understand an object like this, we need to look beyond its aesthetic appeal. We need to delve into archives, historical accounts, and anthropological studies to unpack its complex layers of meaning within specific social and institutional contexts.