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Kamazotz β Lady Xook
Published: 2014-01-11 17:03:42 +0000 UTC; Views: 12043; Favourites: 195; Downloads: 106
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Description
Ix K'ab'al Xook - Lady Sharkfin bloodletting onto a book. Maya Queen of Yaxchilan (during the 7th and 8th centuries) and one of the most powerful figures in Maya history. The drawing is based on a Lintel from her city. The act of bloodletting in this context was a way for her to gain access and seek help/advice from her ancestors. A barbed rope would pass through her tongue to let the blood drop onto the book. The blood on the pages is then read by a skilled diviner. Metaphorically, it was also a way to bring her word (blood of the mouth) into the material world (the pages of the book).
Done with copics. I did the best I could to match the colors from the original after I scanned it. Still not satisfied, but it's good enough for now.
note: this is my version of her based on Lintel. I did my best to make out what was what. By the time I got myself a better copy of the reproduced lintel the mistakes I made (mostly in some parts of the headdress) were unfix-able since I already colored much of it in with the copic markers. This is the original lintel (she is the figure on your right crouching on her knees, as she is here)Β upload.wikimedia.org/wikipediaβ¦
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Comments: 36
Well, of course it is! I recognized her right away- a very cool lady
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Wow. I've always thought that stele "Lintel 24" was the iconic representative work of Mayan sculpture and seeing your take is wonderful. Love how you interpreted the colours here, the strong crimson makeup only adds a sense of power to the lady herself, and the subtle difference between jadeite's darker tones and the lush, near glowing greens of the headdress feathers make for a strong counterplay of jade tone which was very important color in MesoAmerican culture. Also your work with her outfit with its intricate diamond patterns and vibrant colors both deep yet warm deserves respect. The interplay of shadow & clear within the turquoises & the reds are spellbinding.
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Thanks! It took a while figuring out the right colors, keeping a balance while thinking of the most likely colors that could've been used.
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I stumbled across this while I was researching to give a lecture to my world history class on Mesoamericans and South Americans year 600-1450. Β I was going to show them lintel 24, but I realized that they wouldn't really comprehend what is going on. Β I'd love to follow it up with the picture that you've drawn, with your permission?
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I love her. It's lintel 24 from Yaxchilan. Wonderful work!
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Is the stele in the British Museum? Cool pic anyway!
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Yes it is! It was chipped off the original site in Yaxchilan and carried to Great Britain in the late 1800's. Thanks!
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Β‘OH, POR DIOS! Me perdΓ esta bellezaaaaaaa! 
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Gracias! Los diseΓ±os en su huipil me costo mucho @_@
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Β‘Un gustazo!
SΓ me imaginooo, pero mira, Β‘valiΓ³ la pena! Β‘Es una bellΓsima pieza!
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This might sound a bit odd, but it looks almost exactly like one of my friends.. I can't shake that notion no matter how hard I try!
Absolutely lovely work and wonderful attention to detail as well 
Great description as well!
You put a lot of effort into what you do.Β
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Thanks! It's not weird at all lol. I love your group by the way, I'm an avid fan of worldwide textiles. Especially historical ones.
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You're welcome and thank you very much in return!
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Beautiful colors and attention to detail is stunning! excellent
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Yes, I saw that 'act' in a documentary, your work is great you should draw Pakal
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Thanks. What a great idea!
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Gracias! Me costo los detalles de su huipil.
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Supeeer geniales
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This based on one of my favorite ancient art pieces.Β It's beautiful!
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Thanks! I've been wanting to do this one for a while.
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