Inca Sanctuary 1965

Louis Lozowick created this lithograph, titled 'Inca Sanctuary', in 1965. The image depicts what might be a birds-eye view of a pre-Columbian ruin in South America. The stark contrast created through the lithographic process emphasizes the sharp angles of the stonework, the image is a striking depiction of an ancient site. What is the public role of such an image? It invites consideration of the Inca civilization and its legacy, the power of its architecture. The print highlights the contrast between the natural environment and the man-made structures, perhaps suggesting the interplay between culture and nature, between human endeavor and natural processes. Lozowick was an artist who, earlier in his career, engaged with socialist and communist politics. To further our understanding of this image, we can research the history of archaeological representation. We can ask how art helps to shape our understanding of the past and how it affects contemporary culture.