Art of the Americas

Learn about the art and culture of the Olmec, the Maya, the Inka, the Aztec, and other pre-conquest cultures. Learn about the art of the British and Spanish colonies, of the Native North American nations, the cultures of the Amazon and of the art of the new American republics of the 18th and 19th century. Here are the brilliant and complex stories of the peoples of the New World.

Raimondi Stele, Chavin de Haunter, Peru, c. 400 B.C.E. — This image is so complex that its features could only be perceived, let alone understood, by the initiated.

Complexity and vision: the Staff God at ...

Albert Eckhout, Series of eight figures — A short-lived Dutch colony produced art that sought to serve science but instead served racism.

Albert Eckhout, Series of eight figures

Why are these murals in the cloister of Acolman painted in only black and white?

Murals from New Spain, San Agustín de ...

Mexico after independence — Revolutionary priests and an ex-member of the Spanish military led a charge for independence and equality for some.

Mexican Independence

The Conceptionists were founded for elite, pure-blooded Spanish women. This nun just took her vows.

Crowned Nun Portrait of Sor María de ...

Two countries honor their love of democracy with a huge statue of a woman! Neither let women vote, though.

The light of democracy — examining the ...

Chaco Canyon — Located in a high desert, Chaco’s residents dedicated much of their energy to controlling water for crops.

Introduction to Chaco Canyon

Sao Francisco de Assis, Ouro Preto — Ouro Preto was a remote yet cosmopolitan town where gold supported both artists and architects.

Church of São Francisco de Assis, Ouro ...

Clarissa Rizal, Resilience Robe, 2014 — Chilkat weaving has been practiced by Tlingit for hundreds of years; here modernity and tradition weave together.

Clarissa Rizal, Resilience Robe

Wendy Red Star, Crow Peace Delegation — Red Star annotated photographs to restore dignity and context to government-issue photographs of Crow chiefs.

Wendy Red Star, 1880 Crow Peace Delegation

The Mexica people formed their capital when they saw the sign they had been promised: an eagle perched on a cactus.

Introduction to the Aztecs (Mexica)

Though at first glance this nude seems plucked from classical antiquity, it actually alludes to modern politics.

Hiram Powers, The Greek Slave

Ward, The Freedman — This remarkable work honors those who fought for their own freedom, but acknowledges that the struggle goes on.

John Quincy Adams Ward, The Freedman

Cole feared for the American landscape as his country expanded westward.

Thomas Cole, The Hunter’s Return

Remington, The Fall of the Cowboy — Remington mourns the decline of the cowboy by depicting the very thing that destroyed his iconic lifestyle.

The end of an era: Remington’s The ...

Detail, Anishinaabe outfit — This outfit was likely made for a British lieutenant and gifted to him in a ritual exchange to show mutual respect.

Global trade and an 18th-century Anishinaabe outfit

Gorget, c. 1250-1350, probably Middle Mississippian Tradition, whelk shell, 10 x 2 cm (National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution, 18/853) — Found marking the grave of an important individual, this gorget was worn as a neck ornament during life.

Mississippian shell neck ornament (gorget)

Nampeyo (Hopi-Tewa), polychrome jar — Nampeyo found inspiration from the old to create a pottery style that was entirely new and highly sought after.

Nampeyo (Hopi-Tewa), polychrome jar

The creation of a beloved landmark destroyed a thriving community of African Americans and Irish immigrants.

Seneca Village: the lost history of African ...

Bear Claw Necklace — Six bears were required to create this necklace, meant imbue the Pawnee chief with protection and power.

Bear Claw Necklace (Pawnee)