The Codex Borgia: A Full-Color Restoration of the Ancient Mexican Manuscript (Dover Fine Art, History of Art)

Step into the ancient world of pre-Columbian Mexico with The Codex Borgia: A Full-Color Restoration of the Ancient Mexican Manuscript. Considered by scholars as one of the finest extant Mexican codices, this work of profound beauty provides a captivating glimpse into the religious and cultural practices of the time. The Codex Borgia is filled with strange and evocative images that touch upon calendrical, cosmological, ritual, and divinatory matters. Its origin is believed to be in the southern central highlands of Mexico around A.D.

1400. This religious document, once housed in a temple or sacred shrine, served multiple purposes. It was used for divination, with ritual calendars, information on the planet Venus, and numerological predictions for married couples. Delving even deeper, the manuscript explores various regions of the world, showcasing the supernatural characters and attributes associated with each.

It also describes the characteristics of numerous deities and sheds light on the installation ceremonies of pre-Columbian rulers. Previously inaccessible to the general public, the Codex Borgia was kept in the Vatican Library, and previous facsimiles were both rare and expensive. Furthermore, over the centuries, the original Codex suffered damage, resulting in the obscuration and loss of several images. However, in a laborious seven-year project, Gisele Diaz and Alan Rodgers painstakingly restored the Codex by hand. The result of their dedicated work is this Dover edition, which presents 76 large full-color plates that capture the vibrant and striking depictions of gods, kings, warriors, mythical creatures, and mysterious abstract designs found in the original Codex.

This vivid panorama offers profound insights into pre-Columbian Mexican myth and ritual. Now, with this affordable and well-made edition, students, anthropologists, art lovers, and book enthusiasts can immerse themselves in the art and culture of ancient Mexico. Accompanied by an informative introduction from anthropologist Bruce E. Byland, contextualizing the Codex and providing further understanding of its meaning and significance, this edition is a true treasure. Experience the Codex Borgia, an ancient Mexican manuscript, meticulously restored to its former glory.

Dive into the rich history and fascinating mythology of pre-Columbian Mexico with this breathtaking piece of fine art.