Illustrated pages of an ancient storytelling mural
Image Credit

Enrique Chagoya © 2011, Courtesy of Shark's Ink., Lyons, Colorado. Photo Credit: Bud Shark

Ink & Thread

Codices and the Art of Storytelling
Now On View

Enrique Chagoya © 2011, Courtesy of Shark's Ink., Lyons, Colorado. Photo Credit: Bud Shark

Ancient painter-scribes in Mesoamerica recorded histories, genealogies and prophecies in the pages of painted manuscripts known as codices. Ink & Thread: Codices and the Art of Storytelling explores the visual language of both ancient American codices and contemporary examples by Mexican artist Enrique Chagoya. Like the ancient examples, Chagoya’s codices feature superheroes, offer histories of conquest and survival through a wry, tongue-in-cheek lens. Printed on amate paper at Shark’s Press in Lyons, CO, Chagoya’s codices, along with graphic interventions by Eric Garcia, reclaim and amplify this ancient tradition for contemporary audiences.

The gallery additionally features the Tillett Tapestry of the Conquest of Mexico by British-American textile designer, Leslie Tillett, a monumental work that replicates scenes from surviving Central Mexican and Maya codices and recounts the Conquest of Mexico. A recent gift of Tillett’s preparatory studies provides rare insight into his extensive research process.

Ink & Thread is on view beginning November 17 on level 4 of the Martin Building.

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Martin Building, Level 4
Included in general admission
Illustration of Spanish military men on horseback marching in a line

Leslie Tillett, Spaniards Marching, 1972-1976. Acrylic and watercolor on paper; 8 3/4 x 12 3/4 in. Denver Art Museum: Gift of Seth Tillett and Nicole Rauscher, 2023.585. © Estate of Leslie Tillett

Scene depicting La Malinche translating for Spaniards

Leslie Tillett, La Malinche Translates for Offerings, 1972-1976. Acrylic and watercolor on paper; 8 3/4 x 12 3/4 in. Denver Art Museum: Gift of Seth Tillett and Nicole Rauscher, 2023.578. © Estate of Leslie Tillett

Cove with yellow mountains and blue waters filled with ships

Leslie Tillett, Vessels of Cortes Displeased and Failed by His Orders, 1972-1976. Acrylic and watercolor on paper; 12 7/8 x 18 7/8 in. Denver Art Museum: Gift of Seth Tillett and Nicole Rauscher, 2023.642. © Estate of Leslie Tillett

Spanish military men on horseback with shields and spears drawn

Leslie Tillett, Spanish Horsemen Ride in at Uitzillan, 1972-1976. Acrylic and watercolor on paper; 9 x 12 3/4 in. Denver Art Museum: Gift of Seth Tillett and Nicole Rauscher, 2023.569. © Estate of Leslie Tillett

Repeated pattern of Spanish sailors sailing on ships

Leslie Tillett, Spanish Brigantines, 1972-1976. Acrylic and watercolor on paper; 8 7/8 x 12 7/8 in. Denver Art Museum: Gift of Seth Tillett and Nicole Rauscher, 2023.605. © Estate of Leslie Tillett

Temple set on fire surrounded by bright pink flames and colors

Leslie Tillett, Spaniards Set Fire the Temple at Tlatelolco, 1972-1976. Acrylic and watercolor on paper; 12 1/2 x 18 5/8 in. Denver Art Museum: Gift of Seth Tillett and Nicole Rauscher, 2023.649. © Estate of Leslie Tillett

Tillett panel depicting a scene of royalty at court

Leslie Tillett, Tillett Tapestry of the Conquest of Mexico, 1965-1977. Hand embroidered silk on cotton cloth (manta); H: 28 in L: 100 ft. Denver Art Museum: Partial gift of the Tillett family; partial purchase with generous funds from Merle Chambers In Memory of Evelyn Hemmings Chambers; Alianza de las Artes Americanas; Theodore and Nancie Burkett; Mexican Society of Philadelphia; Ralph L. & Florence R. Burgess Trust; Jana and Fred Bartlit; Florence R. & Ralph L. Burgess Trust; Charles Hosmer Morse Foundation; bequest of Jacqueline Paley Wolber by exchange; and anonymous donors, 2018.303. © Estate of Leslie Tillett

Pages of a scroll depiciting an ancient scene

Enrique Chagoya © 2011, Courtesy of Shark's Ink., Lyons, Colorado. Photo Credit: Bud Shark

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