We’ve been on a virtual tour around Central America for the past few weeks. But now, Central America is coming to San Francisco.
Starting on September 30, the de Young Museum will host Teotihuacan: City of Water, City of Fire, an exhibition of art relating to the ancient Mexican city of Teotihuacan. Most of what we know about the city comes from its remaining art, particularly the most recently discovered artifacts from the UNSECO World Heritage Site.
Thanks to generous donations and support from Thom Weisel, Diane B. Wilsey, the Donald L. Wyler Trust, and more, visitors will have a chance to see Teotihuacan artifacts that have never been on display before.
Founded in the first century BC, Teotihuacan was a major metropolitan area, the center of culture, politics, economics, and religion in Mesoamerica. In its heyday, it was home to a multiethnic population of more than 100,000 people. It was known for its Sun, Moon, and Feathered Serpent Pyramids, which were home to many of the 200 artifacts that will be on display at the de Young this fall. The city was almost entirely destroyed in a fire during the 6th century.
Today, the ruins of Teotihuacan receive more than 4 million visitors every year.
The exhibition will feature monumental and ritual objects, mural paintings, ceramics, and stone sculptures. Organized by the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco (FAMSF), the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and the Secretaría de Cultura (through the Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia de México), this exhibition marks the first time in 20 years that artifacts from the ancient city have been on display in the US. Docent Gretchen Turner has been overseeing the project for the de Young Museum.
“In this groundbreaking exhibition, an abundance of recent archaeological discoveries will offer visitors to the de Young insight into the life of the ancient city and give greater context and significance to the Teotihuacan murals in our own collection,” said FAMSF Director and CEO Max Hollein.
Back in 1993, FAMSF entered into a partnership with the Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia de México to collaborate on restoration and conservation efforts. This partnership led to the last major US exhibition—and now this one.
The de Young will be hosting the exhibition from September 30 until February 11.