oil on panel
36” x 24”
2019
This painting is based on the popular mexican image in which an Aztec warrior is carrying a sleeping spanish female to what appears to be a mountain summit. In my painting the male and female roles are reversed and what we see is a Spanish Conquistador possibly Cortes himself carrying off his stolen treasure. His form is that of the mythical centaur. evoking the conquest legend of the indigenous peoples first encounter with a horse in which they mistaken the horse mounted Conquistadors for four legged humanoid creatures. I also like that it connotes the Conquerers beastly nature. He carries a green sack containing the stolen booty, most likely Aztec gold. His helmet is adorned with the Cross hinting at the fact that this was all justified in the name of God. In the distance can be seen a pyramid and a Spanish Ship from which the riches came and to which they will leave.