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THBCortes' Map of Tenochtitlan and the Gulf of Mexico
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Cincinnati , OH 45232
United States
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About Auction
LiveNov 17, 2017 - Nov 18, 2017
Cowan's Auctions dawnie@cowans.com
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- Lot Description
Untitled map, generally referenced as "Mexico City and the Gulf of Mexico." [Peypus, Friedrich]: [Nuremberg], 1524. Approx. 15.5 x 21.5 in. Reportedly drawn from memory by Cortez in 1521, then made into a woodcut by Peypus, accompanied Latin translations of Cortez' letters describing his adventures in the New World.
This map was the first view Europeans had of a city that had, by that time, been leveled by Cortez. Others think there may have been a native map involved since many of the elements of the map are a native construct. For example, the central plaza is large relative to the city, emphasizing its importance, but there are only the twin temples (Templo Mayor with temples dedicated to Huitzilopochtli and Tlaloc, the gods of war and rain, respectively), two skull racks (tzompantli) and a couple other structures. Yet the Spaniards mention in their letters and other writings of the extent and bustling nature of this city center. Later archaeological work has indicated that there were over seventy buildings in the plaza. But this map reflects the importance of Templo Mayor in the mind of a native. The shape of the city and lake in which it resides are also native constructs. (See Mundy, Barbara E. "Mapping the Aztec Capital: The 1524 Nuremberg Map of Tenochtitlan, its Sources and Meanings." Imago Mundi, Vol. 50, 1998)
This important map has been reproduced many times. This is likely a later copy. The map is oriented with West at the top. It shows many details, although rendered in a European style (the houses are medieval, for example). There are canals in the city, and bridges across the lake, so a person could go anywhere on foot or by canoe. There is a dike that was built at the eastern edge to control flooding after a disastrous flood in 1452. However, the dike is depicted as a wattle and daub wall, but reports indicate it was primarily rock and mud. Cortez has noted Moctezuma's houses, zoo, "pleasure houses" for his women.
The smaller map to the left is the outline of the Gulf of Mexico, with South at the top. It is the first map to name Florida ("la florida"), and shows a large river to the west, noted as the Rio del spiritu sancto (sacred spirit river) (identity unclear, but many see it as the Mississippi because of its size), the Yucatan is nearly an island (on this map with a very narrow isthmus), just east of Florida is the tip of Cuba, here connected to North America.
Moctezuma II (name variously spelled) (ca 1466 - 1520) was the ninth ruler of Tenochtitlan, ascending the throne in 1502. During his reign, the Aztec empire reached his greatest extent, mostly by warfare or threat of war, with the unfortunate side-effect for him that many survivors of these wars became his mortal enemies and sided with the Spanish when they landed in 1517. Hernan Cortez (1485-1547) arrived at the capital city in 1519. Moctezuma reportedly greeted him with gifts. Bernal Diaz de Castillo describes the leader as intelligent and kind, for the most part, but could be serious and firm when necessary. His enemies portray him as weak and superstitious, possibly so he can be the scapegoat for the Aztec loss to the Spanish later. Cortez also painted Moctezuma in a mostly negative light to justify his imprisonment and death of the ruler. The exact cause of Moctezuma's death is unclear, but Bernal Diaz says that Cortez forced him to appear on his balcony and tell his people to retreat, at which his own people stoned him to death. Cortez was primarily writing to Charles, king of Spain, who believed in the divine right of kings. Cortez had to have a good reason to depose a king who had a divine right to his own empire.
Many doubt that Moctezuma thought the Spaniards were returning gods, as the older literature puts forth. But it was the end of a 52-year cycle in the Aztec calendar, and people were more sensitive than usual to "omens" and other suspicious events. Moctezuma allowed the Spaniards to live in the palace for several months. Probably, inevitably, they started getting on each others' nerves (especially with their cultural differences - for example, the Aztec ruler bathed 4 times a day - not so medieval Spaniards).
According to some reports, the emperor asked the Spaniards to leave, which they finally did, but only to fight another battle. Upon their return, tensions exploded into violence at the Great Temple, with the Spanish taking Moctezuma hostage (then forcing him to surrender). Cortez reports that the emperor was stabbed by one of his own people, while the Aztecs reported that the Spanish killed him. Other accounts also exist. The Spanish were forced to flee, taking refuge in a neighboring town. In return for the hospitality and protection, pledging to conquer Tenochtitlan.
In 1521 and 1522, Cortez laid siege to the city, ultimately leveling it stone by stone. The Spanish then rebuilt the city, leaving many features in place (such as four divisions), but replacing the temples with churches and other civic buildings in the center of town. Much of the city depicted on this map lies under Mexico City.
Water stain across the lower third or so of the map. Edges somewhat toned and chipping. Colors still vibrant.Condition
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