Priya Kapoor
Bark paper painting, also known as Amate bark paper art, is a Mexican art form that dates back to pre-Columbian and pre-Hispanic times. The paintings are made on amate paper, derived from the bark of the wild fig tree, and typically depict flowers, birds, plants, and animals. The art form is primarily associated with the indigenous Otomi people of central Mexico, specifically the region surrounding the village of Pahuatlán, and the state of Guerrero, including the city of San Pablito. The commercialization of amate paper and its use in bark paper paintings are attributed to the Nahua painters of Guerrero, who bought the paper from the Otomi people and transferred their traditional pottery designs onto the bark paper.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | San Pablito, a small town in northern Puebla, Mexico |
| Tree source | The ficus tree, also known as the wild fig tree |
| History | Aztec and Mayan civilizations used bark paper for clothing, gifts for warriors and royalty, and religious ceremonies. After the Spanish conquest, bark paper was banned due to its association with indigenous religion. |
| Ritual usage | Cut into long flags or trapezoids, painted with black rubber spots, and used to depict the characteristics of gods and request rain |
| Commercialization | Otomi people began selling amate paper crafts in Mexico City, where Nahua painters adopted it for their artwork. |
| Environmental impact | Increased demand has led to the use of industrial chemicals and the stripping of bark from young trees, causing potential ecological concerns. |
| Artistic style | Paintings often depict flowers, birds, plants, and animals, using bright and natural colors on the brown paper. |
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What You'll Learn
The history of bark paper painting in Mexico
Amate paper art, or bark paper painting, is an ancient folk art in Mexico with a rich history and an uncertain future. The process of making bark paper paintings has its roots in pre-Columbian and pre-Hispanic Mexico, and the art form has changed very little over time.
The bark paper itself is made from the inner bark of the wild fig tree, which is beaten, stretched, and dried. The ficus tree, from which the bark is harvested, grows deep in the mountainous regions of San Pablito in northern Puebla. The process of making the paper begins with obtaining the bark for its fibre, and the brown pigment left behind in the process of boiling the bark is then used to enhance the painting. In some cases, additional colours are added. The bark is then cut into strips, flattened with a rock (usually volcanic or granite), and fashioned into a thin sheet or woven into intricate designs.
In ancient times, the amatl-tree furnished clothing for people from all walks of life. Even when the Aztecs were at the height of their power and fine textiles were in common use, the greatest nobles were forced to appear in bark-cloth before their chief as a gesture of humility. The paper is normally coloured dark brown, but an off-white kind is also produced by bleaching the fibres. The amatl paper was also used for writing, decorations, rituals, and as material for masks. The Aztecs used the paper as gifts for warriors, in religious ceremonies, and as gifts for royalty.
The commercialization of amate paper began with the shamans, who realized the paper's commercial value and began selling cutouts of bark paper figures in Mexico City, along with other Otomi handcrafts. The Nahua people then began to transfer their traditional pottery painting designs onto the bark paper, which was easier to transport and sell. The paintings quickly grew in popularity, and by the end of the 1960s, bark paper painting had become the most important economic activity in several Nahua villages.
Today, the paper-making process remains an important part of the culture and economy for the indigenous people of San Pablito, but the art form faces an uncertain future due to the dwindling supply of fig and mulberry trees, which are in danger of extinction.
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The process of making bark paper
Bark paper paintings, also known as Amate, originate from the Mexican states of Puebla and Hidalgo, specifically the village of San Pablito. The process of making bark paper has been practised since pre-Columbian times and is still an important part of the culture and economy for the indigenous people of the region.
To create the paper, the bark is boiled, leaving behind a brown pigment that can be used to enhance the painting. The boiling process also separates the bast from the outer bark. The inner bark is then beaten with a mallet to create a pulp, which is mixed with water and pumped onto a mesh belt. This process encourages all of the fibres to align in one direction, creating a smooth and consistent paper.
Once the paper is dry, it can be painted or cut into figures for use in rituals and religious ceremonies. The paper is not considered sacred until a shaman cuts it as part of a ritual. The commercialisation of bark paper began when shamans realised the commercial value of the paper and began selling cutouts of bark paper figures, along with other Otomi handicrafts.
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The commercialisation of bark paper
Bark paper, also known as Amate paper, has been manufactured in Mexico since pre-Hispanic times. The process of making bark paper was banned by the Spanish in the 1500s as they believed it was used in witchcraft and magic. However, its production never completely died out and it remained prevalent in the remote mountainous areas of northern Puebla and northern Veracruz states.
In the mid-20th century, foreign academics began studying the ritual use of bark paper by the Otomi people of northern Puebla. The Otomi people then started producing bark paper commercially, selling it in cities like Mexico City. The Nahua, who sold their traditionally painted pottery in the same markets, began using Amate paper as a canvas for their paintings. This new painting form found great demand, and the Nahua would buy almost all of the Otomi's paper production.
The Nahua transferred their pottery painting designs onto Amate paper, which was easier to transport and sell. They called the paintings "amatl", which is their word for bark paper. The paintings often featured naive scenes of human or animal life, vivid sun designs, and images taken from ancient Aztec manuscripts. The use of bright colours and the adoption of various artistic styles have contributed to the popularity of these paintings.
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The Otomi people of northern Puebla
The Otomi people are an indigenous group in Mexico, inhabiting the central Mexican Plateau (Altiplano) region. They are linguistically related to the rest of the Otomanguean-speaking peoples, whose ancestors have occupied the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt for several thousand years.
The Otomi people have a long history in Mexico, with some historians believing that they were the first inhabitants of the Valley of Mexico. They held power and prestige throughout east-central Mexico, but the rise of the Aztec Empire led to their decline in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries.
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The Nahua people and their role
Amate, a type of bark paper, has been manufactured in Mexico since pre-Columbian times. The process of making amate paper has been carried out in the village of San Pablito, in the Puebla state, since pre-Hispanic times. The Otomi people of the area began producing the paper commercially in the mid-20th century. The Nahua people played a significant role in the commercialisation of amate paper. They transferred their pottery painting designs onto amate paper, which was easier to transport and sell. The Nahua called their paintings "amatl", their word for bark paper.
The Nahua people sold their traditionally painted pottery and amate paper crafts at the Bazar del Sábado in San Ángel in Mexico City in the 1960s. They bought almost all of the Otomi people's paper production and painting on bark paper quickly spread to various villages in Guerrero. By the end of the 1960s, it became the most important economic activity in eight Nahua villages: Ameyaltepec, Oapan, Ahuahuapan, Ahuelican, Analco, San Juan Tetelcingo, Xalitla and Maxela. Each Nahua village developed its own painting styles, which evolved from the tradition of painting ceramics.
The Nahua people's paintings on amate paper receive the most attention today. The paintings typically depict birds, animals, flowers, plants, and scenes from everyday life, and they are known for being very bright and colourful. About half of the amate paper production is sold to Nahua painters in Guerrero.
The Nahua people, like other Indigenous Americans, used oral history, songs, dances, and visual art to record precontact philosophies, history, and worldviews. Nahuatl poems from the Codex Matritensis, written between 1540 and 1585, describe the habits of worthy artists and juxtapose them with inept artists.
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Frequently asked questions
Bark paper painting is a Mexican art form that involves painting on bark paper, also known as amate paper. The paper is made from the bark of trees such as the wild fig tree, amate tree, nettle tree, and mulberry tree. The paintings often depict flowers, birds, plants, and animals.
Bark paper painting originated in Mexico and has ancient roots dating back to pre-Columbian and pre-Hispanic times. It was used by indigenous peoples such as the Aztecs, Nahua, and Otomi for various purposes, including religious ceremonies, legal texts, and as a canvas for painting.
Bark paper painting is associated with various regions of Mexico, including San Pablito in northern Puebla, Oaxaca, and the state of Guerrero, particularly the villages of Xalitla and San Juan Tetela.
Bark paper paintings are created by indigenous Otomi artisans from central Mexico, following the traditions of their Mesoamerican ancestors. In recent times, artists like Rafael Lechuga have introduced bark paper painting to new communities and taught their skills to local people.
Bark paper painting holds cultural and economic significance for indigenous communities in Mexico. It has been used in rituals, religious ceremonies, and as a form of artistic expression. The commercialization of bark paper paintings has also brought tourism and income to these communities.
