Mexicaanse kalender met hiërogliefen 1723

Bernard Picart created this engraving of a ‘Mexicaanse kalender met hiërogliefen’ – or Mexican calendar with hieroglyphs - around the turn of the 18th century. The circular composition is immediately striking, framed by a serpent whose body forms a ring of symbolic figures. The image presents a structured depiction of time through its concentric bands filled with signs. The hieroglyphs are meticulously rendered, inviting us to decode their meanings within the calendar's structure. The choice of engraving as a medium allows for sharp lines and precise detail, essential for conveying the complexity of the Mesoamerican calendrical system. The snake biting its tail is an ancient symbol representing the cyclical nature of time. Picart uses this to frame a non-Western cosmology, reflecting early modern attempts to understand different cultural systems through a European lens. Ultimately, the artwork serves not just as an illustration, but also as an interpretation, inviting ongoing engagement with its form and cultural implications.