An artwork on Galleree from Cleveland Museum of Art.
About the artwork
Front Face of a Stela (Free-standing Stone with Relief)692
In stone sculpture, Maya rulers celebrated the milestones of their reigns with flamboyant portraits like this image of a royal woman, created to mark the passage of a twenty-year period known as the k’atun. She originally stood in a plaza next to a portrait of her spouse (see photo), with whom she ruled El Perú-Waka’, a provincial Maya town. A member of the powerful dynasty of a nearby Maya center, she seems to have held higher authority than her husband, serving as a military governor. Her costume reflects her status: the headdress has a fan of green quetzal feathers and her jewelry probably refers to jade-both among the most prized of ancient materials. Jade beads also may form the net over her garment, belted with the head of a fish-like creature. Completing the costume are the scepter and shield she grasps in her hands. The dwarf at her side may be a court attendant. The hieroglyphic text refers to important dynastic dates.
The powerful Maya queen shown on this stela is known as Lady K’abel.
limestone
Overall: 274.4 x 182.3 cm (108 1/16 x 71 3/4 in.)
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund
In the heart of a vibrant Maya town, where the sun casts golden hues upon ancient stones, a magnificent sculpture stands—a royal woman celebrated not just for her beauty, but for her power and authority. This piece of stone, carefully carved, tells a story of a bygone era, a story marking the passing of two decades known as the k’atun.
Imagine the plaza bustling with life, the air filled with reverence as townsfolk gathered around this regal figure. Beside her, a likeness of her husband stands, yet the whispers tell of her true dominion. She is no mere consort; she serves as a military governor, a position that speaks volumes of her influence. The air crackles with excitement as people bustle around, drawn to the sight of her adorned figure, a beacon of strength in El Perú-Waka’.
Her attire is nothing short of extraordinary, reflecting her high status. On her head, a headdress bursts with the vivid greens of quetzal feathers—each plume a symbol of respect and majesty. Her jewelry sparkles in the daylight, likely crafted from jade, a gem that captured the hearts of many in the ancient world. Picture the shimmering jade beads intricately woven into a net across her garment, cinched snugly with the head of a mythical fish-like creature, hinting at stories untold.
In one hand, she holds a scepter, exuding authority, while a shield rests firmly in her other hand, ready for any battle that might come her way. At her side, a diminutive figure—a court attendant—stands, adding an air of elegance and mystique to the scene.
Engraved within this sculpture are hieroglyphic texts that speak of important moments in the dynasty’s history, echoing the grandeur of her reign. As the sun sets, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink, this artwork stands there—silent yet powerful—an everlasting testament to a woman who reigned with both grace and strength, capturing the imaginations of those who dare to look closer and hear her story.
About the artist
Creating transformative experiences through art “for the benefit of all the people forever.”The Cleveland Museum of Art is renowned for the quality and breadth of its collection, which includes more than 66,500 artworks and spans 6,000 years of achievement in the arts. The artworks shared on this platform are sourced from the museum's Open Access data under the CC0 license. No endorsement is implied.Address: 11150 East Boulevard, Cleveland, OH, USA 44106
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