Conquest of Mexico
Laud, the Codex Fejérváry-Mayer—superb pictorial achievements that every art student ought to investigate. There are no barriers, no unreasonable restrictions, and Mr. Joyce never seems to get tired of answering questions. Yet for all he has taught me, for all those generous hours, and especially for consenting to write so classic an Introduction, I have only gratitude to offer in return. Here, also, I would thank Lord Cowdray, Miss L. E. Elliott, Mr. Alfred Maudslay, Mr. Russell Cairns, Mr. T. A. Sprague, Mr. W. P. Pycraft, and Mr. Julian Huxley for the help they have each given in various ways. As to the illustrations themselves, it may be noted that throughout Book I., that is to say before the discovery of Mexico, and while Mexican art was as yet untainted by European influence, I have annotated the pages with line drawings from native pictures. In Book II. the Europeans arrive. I imagine myself as having arrived with them—as a spy to begin with and eventually a deserter.
In the following list of illustrations there are a number of references to the Codices, to early Spanish Chroniclers, and other sources. These I have included, in order that purely archæological details may easily be verified, and their value not confused with the æsthetic intention—which is, of course, the main issue.
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