R
Dec 21, 1936–Jan 20, 1937

Frances Rhoads MorleyPortrayals of Maya Indian Subjects

From the exhibition announcement, written by Robert Redfield:

The Renaissance Society and the department of Anthropology of the University of Chicago announce an exhibition of portrayals of Maya Indian subjects in two forms of art. It consists of photographic portraits made by Frances Rhoades (Mrs. Sylvanus G.) Morley in Quintana Roo, Mexico. The subjects are the last Maya Indians to preserve tribal independence and the descendants of those Maya whose shrine-cities, now in ruins, are such important contributions to American Indian art and architecture. Mrs. Morley has had success in recording the character and beauty of the racial type and in suggesting the various personalities of her primitive subjects. This collection has never been exhibited before. With it are shown a number of photographs of architectural details from the old temple-structures in which appear the faces of the Maya of ancient times. The same racial subject thus appears in this exhibition as self-portrayed eight centuries ago in sculpture and as photographed in its living representatives today.

Tea to honor Mrs. Morley, Wieboldt Commons, four to six, Monday, December 21.

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