Pre-Columbian Art

Pre-Columbian Art

Pre-Columbian art refers to the indigenous artworks of the Americas prior to Columbus' arrival in 1492.

Pre-Columbian Art covers the art of indigenous peoples in the Americas before Columbus arrived in the early 16th century. It includes various cultures like the Maya, Aztecs, Inca, and Native North Americans. They made stone sculptures, like the Colossal Heads by the Olmec civilization, which honoured rulers and had religious significance.

The Maya left pyramids, stone sculptures, and hieroglyphics in cities like Palenque, but many were destroyed by the Aztecs in the 12th century. The Aztecs built grand religious and royal structures in their capital, Tenochtitlán, located in the middle of a lake in central Mexico.


Other words in the glossary


painted bronze carrot reclining seductively on a white marble countertop

Start your collection with an edition

Framing guide

Do you need framing advice?

Building your collection? We can help.


Your questions, answered

Parra's studio, with Parra at the centre, his back to the camera as he works on the large painting takes centre stage, showing a faceless blue woman in a striped dress, painted in red, purple, blue and teal. The studio is full of brightly coloured paints, with a large window on the right and a patterned rug across the floor under the painting.