Le Romance du Cortés (The Song of Cortez) (Furnishing Fabric) 1815

"Le Romance du Cortés (The Song of Cortez)" (1815) by Delmès, a furnishing fabric, depicts two scenes of the Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés in Mexico. The upper scene shows Cortés receiving tribute from Indigenous people, while the lower scene showcases him surrounded by Indigenous women. The artwork, housed in the Art Institute of Chicago, is a visual record of European encounters with Indigenous populations in the Americas. It is a testament to the rich tapestry of cultural interactions that marked the era of colonialism. The use of gray tones, fine lines, and illustrative details creates a visual narrative that is both captivating and thought-provoking.