As the spring air fills Paris with its refreshing embrace, the Musée du Quai Branly opens its doors to a remarkable journey back in time with its latest exhibition: “Mexica: Gifts and Gods at the Templo Mayor” running from April 3rd to September 8th, 2024.
This groundbreaking exhibition unveils the fruits of extensive research conducted on the Templo Mayor, the spiritual and political heart of the Mexica culture, often mistakenly referred to as the Aztec civilization. For the first time in Europe, visitors can delve into the rich tapestry of Mexica history, art, and spirituality.
A Fortuitous Discovery Unearths a Civilization
It all began on February 21, 1978, when construction workers in bustling Mexico City stumbled upon one of Mesoamerica’s most extraordinary secrets: the remnants of Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Mexica empire, and its sacred precinct, the Templo Mayor1.
The chance discovery of a colossal circular monolith depicting the moon goddess Coyolxauhqui marked the start of half a century of unprecedented archaeological excavations. While the history of the Mexica Empire (1325-1521) is well-documented, much of its culture, particularly in the realms of rituals, art, and architecture, remained shrouded in mystery until now.
The Exhibition: A Portal to the Past
Organized in association with Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), the exhibition sheds light on these discoveries. Among the most striking are 204 offerings that the Mexica people made to their most revered deities, seeking to curry favor, pay homage, and sometimes, to solicit certain boons in return.
These gifts of various kinds echo the empire’s immense political and economic power at the height of its influence, just before the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors in 1519. Their study reveals not only a dynamic and predatory society but also artistic excellence and complex symbolic and religious thought.
Treasures of the Templo Mayor
At the heart of the exhibition, visitors will encounter the offerings – highly symbolic arrangements composed of minerals, plants, cultural objects, animals, and even human beings – illustrating the deep connection between the Mexicas and their divine pantheon. Notable among these treasures are pieces never before displayed, revealing the dynamic and predatory nature of Mexica society, including a cuauhxicalli, an eagle-shaped sacred vessel used to collect the hearts and blood of the sacrificed.
A Historic Collaboration
The exhibition represents a historic collaboration between the Musée du Quai Branly and INAH, under the direction of Leonardo López Luján, director of the Templo Mayor Project. This partnership between institutions provides a rare opportunity to explore lesser-known aspects of the Mexica Empire, from its artistic development to its symbolic thought, through an immersive scenography and invaluable objects never before exhibited.
Enriching Cultural Journey
The Musée du Quai Branly enhances the exhibition experience with a diverse program including guided and narrated tours, symposiums, workshops, and even a Spotify playlist created by ethnomusicologist Renaud Brizard to extend the immersion into Mexica culture.
As we anticipate the opening of “Mexica: Gifts and Gods at the Templo Mayor,” we invite you to mark your calendars for a cultural journey that promises to enrich and enlighten. This exhibition is not just a display of artifacts; it’s a portal to the past, offering a glimpse into the life and beliefs of a civilization that continues to fascinate and inspire.