Illuminations

Essential media about the arts
Aztecs

Related Films

Encounters: The Meeting of Asia and Europe 1500-1800
In the three centuries after the explorer Vasco de Gama first landed in Ind...

Islamic Art at the V&A
An Illuminations production in association with the V&A. London's V&A has o...

The World of the Lindisfarne Gospels
The Lindisfarne Gospels is the greatest of Anglo-Saxon treasures and one of...

William Hodges: The Art of Exploration
The painter William Hodges is increasingly seen as a key figure in eighteen...

AZTECS

Watch the Preview

Synopsis

  Click here to buy this DVD  

AZTECS introduces the last great civilisation of central Mexico, which flourished from the mid-14th century to its destruction by the invading Spanish in 1521. Presented by sculptor Antony Gormley, the film complements the major 2002-3 exhibition of Aztec culture at London's Royal Academy. Many of the extraordinary and splendid works loaned to this show are illustrated, along with sculptures and other objects filmed in Mexico City and at important Aztec sites.

With contributions from British and Mexican curators and academics, the film explores how the nomadic tribe of the Aztecs drew inspiration from earlier cultures. It looks at the Aztec understanding of the natural world, at their complex system of gods and at the importance to their religion of human sacrifice and ritual blood-letting. The sophistication and variety of their art is extensively illustrated, along with the exquisite craftsmanship of their manuscripts and their jewellery in turquoise and gold.

Books

Websites

« Search for another title

Transmission

Five
November 2002

Aztecs [DVD Boxshot]

40 minutes

  • DVD £19.56
    November 2002
    R0 (PAL)
    5060033830390
  • Buy on DVD
  • VHS £14.67
    November 2002
    PAL, NTSC
    5060033830352
  • Buy on VHS
  • Enquire About licensing