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Cortez, 19th century. Artist: William Holl
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Cortez, 19th century. Artist: William Holl
Cortez, 19th century. Hernan Cortes (1485-1547), Spanish conquistador who conquered Mexico. Cortes landed in Mexico in 1519. With a force of only some 600 men, he succeeded in overthrowing the empire of the Aztecs, a civilization numbering 5 million. He was able to achieve this partly due to the natives being terrified of the Europeans horses and firearms, neither of which they had seen before. In addition, the Aztecs believed a prophecy that they would be visited by a light-skinned bearded god, the Quetzalcoatl, who had taught them agriculture and government in the past, and whose return they were to welcome with great ceremony. Cortes was able to exploit his resemblance to the Quetzalcoatl to great effect
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Media ID 14905826
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Conquistador Cortes Hernan Cortes Hernan Cortez Hernando Hernando Cortes Hernando Cortez Holl Imperialism Invasion Latin America New World Sailor Sailors William Holl William Ii Naval Warfare
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases the renowned Spanish conquistador, Hernan Cortes, during the 19th century. Painted by the talented artist William Holl, this portrait captures the essence of a man who forever altered the course of history. Cortes embarked on his audacious journey to Mexico in 1519 with a mere 600 men at his side. Against all odds, he successfully toppled the mighty Aztec empire, which boasted a population of five million people. The key to his triumph lay in exploiting various factors that favored him: the natives' fear of European weaponry and horses they had never encountered before, as well as their belief in an ancient prophecy. According to Aztec legend, Quetzalcoatl—a light-skinned bearded god—would return one day to guide them once more. Astutely recognizing this expectation, Cortes cleverly presented himself as Quetzalcoatl's reincarnation and was embraced by many as such. In this engraving-turned-photo print, we witness Cortes donning traditional colonial attire—a hat adorning his head and a beard framing his face—as he stands tall against a backdrop symbolizing conquest and imperialism. His commanding presence exudes strength and determination while hinting at both admiration for his accomplishments and controversy surrounding them. This remarkable piece serves not only as a visual testament to Cortes' pivotal role in shaping Latin America but also invites contemplation about the complexities inherent within colonization and its lasting impact on indigenous cultures across continents.
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