Mexican school; XIX century.

Mexican school; XIX century.
"Emblem of Mexico".
Pens and ink on paper.
Measurements: 18 x 24 cm; 37 x 41 cm (frame).
The image presents a powerful bird of prey with spread wings holding a snake in its beak and claws, a clear evocation of the Mexican national coat of arms inspired by the founding legend of Mexico-Tenochtitlan. Below it appears an elaborate set of multicolored feathers and laurel branches that reinforce the allegorical character of the composition. The symmetrical and monumental arrangement of the elements transforms the scene into an emblematic representation of the nation, where nature, history and memory are integrated into the same visual discourse.
The technique used refers to the ancient tradition of the amantecas, master craftsmen specialized in the work of feathers during the pre-Hispanic era. Among Mesoamerican peoples, the feathers of tropical birds were materials of enormous prestige, associated with political power, divinity and the celestial world. After the conquest, this practice merged with European artistic models, giving rise to a unique production that achieved great recognition in New Spain.
During the 19th century, plumería underwent a renewal linked to the emergence of Mexican national identity. Artists took up patriotic symbols, costumbrista scenes and representations of local flora and fauna to create works destined both for collectors and for the market of foreign travelers fascinated by the exoticism and diversity of the country. In this context, the eagle and the serpent acquired special importance as emblems of sovereignty and independence.