El Quetzal 1916

Saturnino Herrán created "El Quetzal" to engage with Mexico’s indigenous past, in a time when Mexican artists were seeking to define a national identity distinct from its colonial history. Here, we see a figure kneeling, his back turned to us, with a Quetzal bird resting on his head. Herrán often explored themes of Indigenismo, which aimed to reclaim indigenous culture. This was particularly pertinent during and after the Mexican Revolution when there was a wider re-evaluation of Mexican identity. In this piece, Herrán blends indigenous and symbolist aesthetics, to hint at the syncretism of Mexican culture. The Quetzal, sacred in pre-Columbian cultures, becomes a symbol of spiritual and cultural heritage, intertwined with the male figure who embodies strength and connection to the land. Herrán's work invites us to consider the complexities of cultural identity, and the ongoing dialogue between past and present, as well as the emotional and personal dimensions of cultural reclamation.