Panel 5. The Coming of Quetzalcoatl - The Epic of American Civilization 1934

"Panel 5. The Coming of Quetzalcoatl" is a 1934 mural by Mexican artist Jose Clemente Orozco. This panel is part of the larger "Epic of American Civilization" series, which is renowned for its powerful imagery and bold colors. Orozco depicts the arrival of Quetzalcoatl, a feathered serpent deity revered by ancient Mesoamerican civilizations, with the use of geometric shapes, stark lines, and strong contrasts. The dynamic composition suggests both awe and foreboding, reflecting the complex and often violent history of pre-Columbian America. This dramatic portrayal of the Quetzalcoatl myth highlights Orozco's interest in exploring the intertwined histories of indigenous cultures and the arrival of European colonialism.