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Pages:
3 pages/≈825 words
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Style:
MLA
Subject:
Religion & Theology
Type:
Essay
Language:
English (U.S.)
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Topic:

Examining Religion Through Material Culture: The Maya Maize God

Essay Instructions:

Please use an object from the American museum of natural history and attach picture of which one it is. I have also attached the readings we have done in class so that you can choose from those.

Nature of Religion –Museum Paper Visiting the Museum

This paper asks that you examine religion through material culture, using museums as your guide. Stage One Choose ONE artwork that can be used religiously, and can be analyzed through the ideas brought forth in our readings. In order to find your object, allow yourself to explore the spaces (see museum info below). Suggestion: choose at least two galleries that interest you to start. What I also suggest: allow yourself to get lost in the spaces. It’s fun. DRAW YOUR OBJECT. Attention to detail matters, not artistic talent. Pay attention to the size, shape, any imperfections, signs of wear. Provide a brief background, including accession number, of your artwork, and describe it in full detail. No outside research is required, but if you’re quoting from the item description (either on its identification plaque or the website description), be sure to note. Also, describe the details of your object. THIS IS IMPORTANT. Really look at the object. Size, any damage, material, etc are essential to understanding the object. How was your object used in religion? This is the main question of the paper, and rests on your visual analysis. Stage Two: Using our readings, find at least one connection. Use your sources well, and make sure they really work with the object you’re choosing. Show where you are getting your information (page numbers!). A paper without page numbers from the texts will not be graded. Proof of admission aside from your drawing is required. This means a photo of you next to your artwork.

Essay Sample Content Preview:

The Maya maize god
Student Name
Institutional Affiliation
Date
The Maya maize god
Background
The visited museum is The Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET) during an exhibition. While there were various artworks, the Maya maize god caught stood out. The maize god is a youth who is wearing a headdress that is stylized in the form of corn. The hair is in the form of the silk of maize comb. The head is disproportionally bigger compared to the torso. The sculpture is carved from limestone. It has a height of 89cm, a width of 56.50 cm, and a depth of 60 cm. The head is rendered almost like a maize cob with leavy elements extending above the head. Appears to be dancing with one hand up and the other one down as a demonstration that he could be clapping, hence symbolizing joy in the land. The depiction of a maize comb is a demonstration of the importance of the crop to the Maya people. Maize was the staple of the Maya subsistence, having been domesticated in ancient Mexico. As the staple food, maize provided the people of Maya with the nutrients needed to survive.
Connection to religion
For the Maya people, maize was a precious thing. The people not only depended on it for subsistence but also venerated it. The Maya people personified maize and created the maize god in honor of the crop. The maize god is depicted as a young god in his full strength and handsomeness. He is adorned with beautiful and precious jewelry, making him drip with luxury. This causes the maize god to be associated with luxurious things. Hence, in addition to being the patron of maize, he was also a patron of all things that were abundant at the time. For instance, cacao was associated with him, which forms the source of modern chocolate. The maize god is depicted as a beautiful young man. This shows the energy that the god provides to the people.
As the people worship the maize god, this reminds them of the stages of life. The Maya loved the maize god because he would be born, thrive, die, and then be reborn. This provides hope to the people that they will follow the same cycle as the god. The maize god provided an optimistic model, especially to the rulers that once they die, they would be reborn and then thrive again. Portraying kings in death with the appearance of the maize god meant that although they are dead, they will still come back to life. This symboliz...
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