Creating a Divine Rulership: An Iconographic Analysis of Scene II in the Murals of San Bartolo

Natalie Bruno

Advisor: Dr. David Stuart

Abstract

This paper focuses on a section of mural paintings from the Late Preclassic ancient Maya site of San Bartolo in Petén, Guatemala. Known as Scene II, this section of the West Wall is examined to discuss how the content demonstrates the ideological beginnings of divine rulership. The iconographic content of Scene II revolves around the mythological narrative of cosmic creation and the beginnings of humanity. More specifically, it illustrates the concept of rulership in the mythological scene, establishing that political hierarchy is rooted in primordial origin. Scene II visualizes the order of rulership as a natural part in the creation of the cosmos and agricultural cycles. This demonstrates that rulership is not only a divine concept, but is required to sustain humanity and the worldly cycles we depend on. This research will discuss the influences that contributed to the development of important supernatural symbols and concepts seen in Scene II. To understand the political goals of Scene II, I will examine the spatial organization and iconography. The formal aspects and iconographic content of Scene II demonstrate how ancient Maya elites aligned themselves with supernatural actors and events. The structure of Scene II is based on a symmetrical format that creates comparisons between supernatural and political concepts. The iconographic content of the scene is based on cosmological metaphors that describe the cycles of the universe and the supernatural forces behind it. The iconography is examined more closely in three subsections that focus on the environment, the Maize God, and royal accession. I will also look to iconography from the Classic period to demonstrate the impact of images like Scene II on future political institutions. Using my analysis of Scene II, I then discuss the relationship between cosmology and the beginnings of divine rulership during the Late Preclassic period that later established divine kingship that flourished during the Classical period.