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Hernan Cortes, 16th century Spanish conquistador, (1836). Artist: W Holl
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Hernan Cortes, 16th century Spanish conquistador, (1836). Artist: W Holl
Hernan Cortes, 16th century Spanish conquistador, (1836). Landing in Mexico in 1519, with a force of only some 600 men, Cortes (1485-1547) 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 14916638
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Conqueror Conquest Conquistador Cortes Greed Hernan Cortes Hernan Cortez Hernando Hernando Cortes Hernando Cortez Holl Imperialism Invader Invaders Invasion Mexico W Holl Military Personnel
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures the essence of Hernan Cortes, a 16th-century Spanish conquistador who forever altered the course of history. In 1519, with a mere 600 men at his side, Cortes fearlessly landed in Mexico and successfully toppled the mighty Aztec empire, which boasted a population of five million. This remarkable feat was achieved through a combination of strategic advantage and manipulation. The indigenous people were awestruck by the Europeans' horses and firearms, both completely foreign to them. Their terror paved the way for Cortes' conquest as he exploited their vulnerability. Additionally, an ancient prophecy had foretold the return of Quetzalcoatl – a light-skinned bearded god who had once taught agriculture and government to the Aztecs. Seizing this opportunity, Cortes cleverly presented himself as this deity-like figure due to his resemblance to Quetzalcoatl. In this striking black-and-white engraving by W Holl from 1836, we see Hernan Cortes portrayed with great detail and intensity. His commanding presence is accentuated by his headgear and beard that symbolize power and authority. The artist masterfully captures not only Cortes' physical appearance but also hints at his ambition and greed for conquest. This historic image serves as a poignant reminder of how one man's determination can shape nations and civilizations. It invites us to contemplate both the triumphs achieved through exploration as well as its darker implications such as imperialism and invasion.
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