Seated Female Deity 1521

This Seated Female Deity was carved by Aztec artists between 1300 and 1521, using stone. The smooth, grey volcanic rock has a density and weight that speak to the enduring power of the gods in Aztec society. To create this sculpture, the artist would have used tools made of harder stones, and perhaps copper, to slowly chip away at the surface. We can imagine the controlled, repetitive actions involved in this reductive process, working carefully to reveal the figure within. The cultural significance of this work lies in its meticulous craftsmanship. It is a testament to the Aztec's deep connection to the earth and their reverence for the divine. The very act of transforming a raw material like stone into a sacred image underscores the amount of labor involved, while representing community values and beliefs, giving physical form to something beyond the here and now. This sculpture reminds us that materials, making, and context are crucial to our understanding, and challenges the notion that we should separate art from its social and political context.