The Aztecs before the scientists, plate 211 from Actualités 1855

"The Aztecs before the Scientists" (1855) is a lithograph by French artist Honoré Daumier, known for his satirical cartoons. This print, from the series "Actualités," depicts a group of scientists, some looking shocked, as two naked Aztec figures perform a ritual dance on a table. Daumier satirizes the scientific approach to non-Western cultures, suggesting that Western scholars might misunderstand or misinterpret indigenous practices. The print is housed at the Art Institute of Chicago.