Source: José Alcina Franch. Pre-Columbian Art. Trans. I. Mark Paris. New York: Harry N. Abrams, 1983, p. 190, plate 70.
Notes: This is Stela H, from Copán, Honduras. It dates to the Classic Mayan period, about 782. This is one of the most famous of Mayan stelæ. Note the intricate carving in the limestone block. There is a human figure (ruler) surrounded by symbols and elements from nature. The website About Education says this about Stela H: "This tall stela is called Stela H, and like most of the stelae at Copán, Stela H is a portrait of the 13th ruler of Copán called 18 Rabbit or Waxaklahun Ubah K'awil, who ruled Copán between AD 695 and 738. Stela H is one of two paired stelaes (actually there were several). H is paired with A, and in H, curiously enough, 18 Rabbit appears to be dressed in the traditional royal jaguar skin kilt; and a long skirt typical of the representation of women. Stela A has 18 Rabbit in more traditional male costume, and has a small stone chamber in front of it that had pottery and other offerings stored there. Stela A was dedicated in AD 731." <http://archaeology.about.com/od/mayaarchaeology/ig/Maya-Plazas/Stela-H--Great-Plaza-of-Copan.--S7.htm>.
Latin American humanities themes: horror vacui; admiratio