5.4 Theories and Interpretations of Indigenous American Art

Methods of Investigation

The study of art history is influenced by the different theories and interpretations that arise in relation to artwork. There are many different cultures in the Americas, each with its own unique characteristics. Therefore, there are many different approaches to exploring the various art forms in this unit. 

Most investigations of artwork rely on the use of scholastic sources like written accounts (primarily from European colonizers) and archeological sites. The College Board AP Art History CED describes some of the sources of evidence. 

Mesoamerica and Central Andes

• "Hieroglyphs of the Mayas and Mexica illuminate text and image, and historical and artistic elements of those cultures" (pg. 173).
• Ethnographic analogy highlights basic cultural continuities so that present traditional practices, myths, and religious beliefs may illuminate past artistic materials, creative processes, and iconography" (pg. 173).- To explain in simpler terms, the process of ethnographic analogy involves comparing archaeological remains from previous cultures to known ethnographic (cultural) information from currently existing societies.
• "Other disciplines, such as astronomy, botany, and zoology, help identify siting of cities and monuments, as well as native flora and fauna subject matter" (pg. 173). The use of all these various forms of analysis is known as multi-disciplinary collaboration.

Native North America

• "Sources of information for Native North American art include archaeological excavations for pre-contact and colonial cultures, written ethnohistoric documents, tribal history (oral and written), modern artists’ accounts and interviews, and museum records" (pg. 173).

🚨 Note: There is an caveat to using written sources from European conquerors. Sometimes these sources diverge and do not contain accurate information. From a historical sense, the mistreatment of native and indigenous populations might mean that the information in their written accounts could biased and highly contested. Furthermore, many methods have limitations. For instance, a technique like ethnographic analogy must be used with caution to avoid imposing modern cultural interpretations on the past.

Well that's all for Unit 5. Next we will be exploring art from Africa. Keep in mind that African Art has similar elements to Indigenous art. Spiritual beliefs play a large role! So try to create cross-cultural connections as you learn about both regions. Happy studying art historians! 🎉