NATURALISM AND SUPERNATURALISM IN ANCIENT MESOAMERICA: AN ANALYSIS OF OLMEC ICONOGRAPHY

Author

Sarah Silberberg, The University of MontanaFollow

Year of Award

2014

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

Master of Arts (MA)

Degree Name

Art

Other Degree Name/Area of Focus

Art History

Department or School/College

School of Art

Committee Chair

H. Rafael Chacón

Committee Co-chair

Valerie Hedquist

Commitee Members

Kelly J. Dixon, Mary Ann Bonjorni

Keywords

composite imagery, Olmec, Mesoamerica, were-jaguar, shamanism

Abstract

Olmec iconography was a product of close observation of the natural world as well as shamanic trance visions. The Olmec transmitted their knowledge of the natural world in their naturalistic imagery and their knowledge of shamanism in depictions of precise ecstatic trance postures and supernatural composite imagery. Inherent to both artistic traditions is an understanding of the transformative processes of both the natural world and of the shamanic visionary experience. Additionally, the Olmec used their carving technique to inform and educate their intended viewers about the performance of transformative shamanic practice.

Recommended Citation

Silberberg, Sarah, "NATURALISM AND SUPERNATURALISM IN ANCIENT MESOAMERICA: AN ANALYSIS OF OLMEC ICONOGRAPHY" (2014). Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers. 4198.
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/4198