The monstrosity in pre-Hispanic art? a reconsideration of Edmundo O’Gorman’s position

Abstract

In his study entitled «El arte o de la monstruosidad», the renowned Mexican historian and philosopher Edmundo O’Gorman reflects on the relationship between the sensitivity of Western man and the artistic world of the ancient Mexicans, this as a result of his exaltation at the moment contemplating the Coatlicue sculpture. The central question is how to access artistic objects from cultures that are foreign to us? Throughout his work, O’Gorman presents reflections on cultures that we tend to consider «exotic», artistic sensitivity, the work of the art historian and historical research in general, etc. But, above all, and what this work will focus on, it presents the element of the «monstrous» as an aesthetic category to approach Nahua art.

Therefore, the objective of this work is to reflect on what it means to use the «monstrous» as a key concept of pre-Hispanic art (and art in general), and also, through the use of literary examples, establish a relationship or not between pre-Hispanic aesthetic consideration and its possible misinterpretation coming from Western aesthetic statutes.