Clay figurines, mainly nude females, were the most common art of early villages throughout Mesoamerica. The meanings of these sweet, small, intimate works are not known, but they are found both in human burials and in household rubbish, suggesting varied uses. Such figurines are the primary artistic context in which Mesoamerica's first great art style, the Olmec, developed.

 
 

 

Click on Images

Seated Woman, Mexico, Guerrero, Xochipala, Pre-Classic period (c. 1600-100 (B.C.) Ceramic, Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth, Texas

 

Preclassic Figurines

Tlatilco and Xochipala Figures

Week Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Syllabus