Cortes's first major conflict with indigenous Mexicans occurred as he and his men made their way toward the city of Tabasco. Although the Spanish were outnumbered, Cortes apparently used cannon and men on horseback to great effect and eventually won the battle. According to Spanish sources, the caciques, or indigenous leaders, of Tabasco then begged Cortes for forgiveness. More importantly, they gave Cortes and his men twenty women, one of whom was Malintzin, also know as Dona Marina or La Malinche. Malinche was a key player in Cortes's ultimate victory over the Aztecs, because she spoke both Nahuatl, the primary language of the Aztec empire, and Maya. Another of Cortes's translators, Geronimo de Aguilar, a Spaniard who had been shipwrecked and lived among the Maya for many years, is also included here.

In the painting, the Spanish troops, most in full armor and on horseback, are engaged in a furious battle with the inhabitants of Tabasco. In contrast to the metal armor and rapiers of the Spanish, the native Mexicans wear elaborate and colorful feathered costumes and carry spears and maquilhuitl, wooden clubs inset with black razor-sharp pieces of obsidian. The most prominent figure in the foreground is Cristobal de Olid, one of Cortes's captains. Mounted on a pale horse, he rises above the confusion of the battle with his rapier held high, about to deliver a deadly blow to one of the Indian leaders. Pedro de Alvarado and Gonzalo de Sandoval, both members of Cortes's senior staff, are also represented here. In the background of the painting we see the baptism of Malinche with five other indigenous women in a small grove of trees. Cortes appears here as a witness to this event, not as a main figure in the battle. The European-looking fortress in the deep background represents Tabasco, which is described in the contemporary accounts as a heavily fortified city.

The Conquest of Mexico paintings, a series of eight works, tell the story of the 1521 Spanish conquest of the native Aztec people. A highlight of the Kislak Collection, they are significant both artistically and historically. They represent a bridge between the collections wealth of pre-Columbian objects and its extensive array of manuscripts, maps, and rare books from the period of exploration and the early colonial period.

The paintings are outstanding examples in this genre of history painting because of their early date, fine condition, and the skill of the (unknown) artists involved. Painted in Mexico during the second half of the seventeenth century, the Kislak series is considered the earliest of the three complete cycles of paintings of the Conquest that still exist.

Medium : oil on canvas : 48"x 78"

Artist : Unknown

Created : The second half of the seventeenth century

Caption is courtesy of Arthur Dunkelman, Curator of the Kislak Collection

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Product #: Kislak230E