MAIN Art & Culture Art History Central/South America

Often also combining the Caribbean and Mexico, the art of Central/South America can trace its roots to the many and varied cultures that prospered throughout the region before the arrival of the Europeans in the 16th century.

Known collectively as Pre-Columbian art, (or before the arrival of Columbus) many fine examples have survived in painted and fired clay, stone, jade, and other materials.

With colonization, art and sculpture took on a unique blend of Native American, African and European cultures known today as the rich and complex Latin American mestizo or '"mixed" tradition.

Around the Web, check out some of the best English-language resources currently available on the topic, with more promised as additional sites come online ....

Art & Culture of the Incas - Pottery taken to the level of fine art, a cache of Incan gold, and more.

Rain of the Moon: Silver in Ancient Peru - Dating from the first millennium until the 16th century, works in this archived exhibit include silver vessels in the shape of human and animal figures from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection.

Museo Contisuyo - Focusing on the Southern Peruvian art of Moquegua - with an illustrated history, virtual museum and related resources.

Museum of Latin American Art - The official site of the Long Beach, CA institution offering online exhibits, visitor information and directions.

The Gold Museum - Feast your eyes on a treasure trove of Colombian gold artifacts with a tour of the permanent collection, theme exhibits and recent shows, courtesy of the Banco de la República in Bogota.

Argentina: Fine Art - A survey of pre-Hispanic period, colonial and 19th century art to the present day.

also in Art History -> General Art History Resources | North American Art History

also see in Travel -> Central America | South America