Popocatepetl, Spirited Morning– Mexico

Marsden Hartley, Popocatepetl, Spirited Morning-- Mexico, 1932, oil on board, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Sam Rose and Julie Walters, 2004.30.3
Marsden Hartley, Popocatepetl, Spirited Morning-- Mexico, 1932, oil on board, 2529 in. (63.573.7 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Sam Rose and Julie Walters, 2004.30.3
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Artwork Details

Title
Popocatepetl, Spirited Morning– Mexico
Date
1932
Dimensions
2529 in. (63.573.7 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Sam Rose and Julie Walters
Mediums Description
oil on board
Classifications
Subjects
  • Landscape — Mexico
  • Disaster — volcanic eruption
  • Landscape — mountain — Popocateptl
Object Number
2004.30.3

Artwork Description

During his visit to Mexico City in 1932, Marsden Hartley was entranced by the two snow-capped volcanoes, Popocatépetl and Ixtaccihuatl, surrounding the city. He devoted much of his time to studying ancient Aztec and Mayan artifacts and primordial myths of creation. According to legend, a Tlaxcaltecas chief promised the hand of his beautiful daughter Iztacc to the brave warrior Popo. Falsely told that her lover had been killed in battle, the girl died from grief. When the young warrior returned, he took her body into the hills and knelt beside her to keep watch. To protect them, the gods covered their forms in eternal snow.

Works by this artist (4 items)

Tom Nakashima, Sanctuary at Western Sunset, 1992, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Gail and John Enns, 2008.38
Sanctuary at Western Sunset
Date1992
oil on canvas
On view
Tom Nakashima, Great Stick, 1990, handmade paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Gail and John Enns and museum purchase, 1991.68
Great Stick
Date1990
handmade paper
Not on view
Tom Nakashima, Samurai, 1990, two-color etching on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Anton Gallery Partnership, 1991.37.2, © 1990, Tom Nakashima
Samurai
Date1990
two-color etching on paper
Not on view
Tom Nakashima, Cage, 1990, hand-colored etching and photo etching on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Anton Gallery Partnership, 1991.37.1, © 1990, Tom Nakashima
Cage
Date1990
hand-colored etching and photo etching on paper
Not on view