Abstract

GONZALEZ MELLO, Renato. The Olmecs, Covarrubias, and the Modernists Ideas on Style. An. Inst. Investig. Estét [online]. 2020, vol.42, n.116, suppl.1, pp.157-190.  Epub June 18, 2021. ISSN 0185-1276.  https://doi.org/10.22201/iie.18703062e.2020.suplemento.2708.

This paper will examine Miguel Covarrubias' arguments to postulate the existence of the "Olmec", echoin recent researches and taking into account three problems: an iconographic argument about the fetish's place the middle of the jungle, which in turns refers to ideas about cannibalism; an argument about style that took theoretical and pedagogical resources used at the time in North American Museums, which Covarrubias was familiar with; finally, an argument of Social History, that considers the Olmec as an aristocratic elite that conquered a peasants' nation. In this author's opinion, this last argument could be considered as a portrait o Mexican society in twentieth century.

Keywords : Miguel Covarrubias; Olmec; style; Hugo Moedano; twentieth century archeology.