first years of the Church); while there are various works on classic topics; for instance, Luis Monroy's "Ultimos Momentos de Atala." Episodes from the history of Spain are likewise set forth in divers canvases, chief among those artists evincing signal talent in the handling of such matter being Pelegin Clavé, a powerful colourist. But best of all are the paintings of a class already referred to—those inspired by Mexico's own history. One of the finest of these is that in which Juan Ortega has depicted the visit of Cortes to Motecuhzoma; further good works in this same category being a pair by Felix Parra: "Episodio de la Conquista" and "Fray Bartolome de las Casas, Protector de los Indios." One by Rodrigo Entiérrez, "El Senado de Tlaxcala," must also be cited; while as fine as this, if not finer, is a famous picture by José Obregon, "La Reina Xochitl." The heroine and her father are here delineated presenting a rich goblet to the Toltec prince, Tecpancaltzin; and the painter has in rather an adroit fashion signified the precise contents of this goblet, there being, at the extreme left of the canvas, a servant bearing a maguey plant, the plant from which Mexico's national drink of pulque is concocted. The doughty Indian is evidently somewhat surprised, and withal greatly delighted, by the imminent prospect of quenching his thirst; while it is clear that his first taste of pulque is not to be his last one, for in the background are more servants, carrying large pitchers, the wherewithal for a carousal. The whole picture reflects sound archaeological knowledge on the part of the artist; and this complete correctness of his details, from an antiquarian point of view, certainly adds materially to the interest of Obregon's masterpiece.
This brief account of the modern pictures in the Académia de San Carlos will serve to give readers an idea as to who are the better known, if not really the most talented, of Mexico's painters to-day, at least so far as the realm of genre is concerned. More will be said, at a later stage, about contemporary Mexican painters; and it is worth pausing to note,
