Minneapolis Institute of Art

Woman's blouse (Huipil)

K'iche' Maya artist

Date

20th century

Medium

Cotton, embroidery

Culture

K'iche' Maya

Department

Arts of the Americas

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

The use of dark colors, such as deep purple, black, and blue-black, is a primary characteristic of Maya mourning huipiles, both woven and embroidered. The general layout of the garment is similar to the everyday huipil, but the imagery is simplified by the use of a monchromatic palette. In sharp contrast, the fanciful creatures and brilliant use of color on the everyday huipil suggests a lightness of spirit. Commercial cotton cloth forms the ground for both of these beautifully executed embroideries. K'iche' Maya, Guatemala, Americas

The authoritative record is held by Minneapolis Institute of Art. LinkedCulture surfaces this object and its connections; it does not alter institutional metadata.