Codex Borgia · Fragments

c.1300 – 1400 – Fragments – Vatican Library, Rome

Along with the Nutall Codex (now in the British Museum) the Borgia Codex is considered the most representative of all the Pre-Columbian codexes conserved nowadays. Their importance goes beyond the merely artistic aspect, as the numerous illustrations that they contain are of pivotal importance for understanding the life and beliefs in ancient Mesoamerica.

A true marvel of plasticity and expressivity, this ancient Mesoamerican codex shows scenes of bloody sacrifices, powerful gods and even an ancient ball game. The bright colours, the expressivity of the figures and the disposition of the scenes mysteriously relate these works with many comics from many centuries later. Anyways, these codexes are of vital importance because they explain the fears and beliefs of an ancient world that we will never know again.

Text by G. Fernández, theartwolf.com