Home > Arts > Artists > Related Images
Hernan Cortes, 16th century Spanish conquistador, (1836). Artist: W Holl
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Heritage Images
Hernan Cortes, 16th century Spanish conquistador, (1836). Artist: W Holl
Hernan Cortes, 16th century Spanish conquistador, (1836). Landing in Mexico in 1519, with a force of only some 600 men, Cortes (1485-1547) succeeded in overthrowing the empire of the Aztecs, a civilization numbering 5 million. He was able to achieve this partly due to the natives being terrified of the Europeans horses and firearms, neither of which they had seen before. In addition, the Aztecs believed a prophecy that they would be visited by a light-skinned bearded god, the Quetzalcoatl, who had taught them agriculture and government in the past, and whose return they were to welcome with great ceremony. Cortes was able to exploit his resemblance to the Quetzalcoatl to great effect
Heritage Images features heritage image collections
Media ID 14916638
© The Print Collector / Heritage-Images
Conqueror Conquest Conquistador Cortes Greed Hernan Cortes Hernan Cortez Hernando Hernando Cortes Hernando Cortez Holl Imperialism Invader Invaders Invasion Mexico W Holl Military Personnel
FEATURES IN THESE COLLECTIONS
> Arts
> Artists
> Related Images
> Arts
> Minimalist artwork
> Monochrome artwork
> Fine art
> Arts
> Minimalist artwork
> Monochrome artwork
> Monochrome paintings
> Arts
> Portraits
> Black and white portraits
> Fine art portraits
> Arts
> Portraits
> Black and white portraits
> Arts
> Street art graffiti
> Portraits
> Fine art
> Europe
> Spain
> Related Images
> Historic
> Ancient civilizations
> Aztec Civilization
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures the essence of Hernan Cortes, a 16th-century Spanish conquistador who forever altered the course of history. In 1519, with a mere 600 men at his side, Cortes fearlessly landed in Mexico and successfully toppled the mighty Aztec empire, which boasted a population of five million. This remarkable feat was achieved through a combination of strategic advantage and manipulation. The indigenous people were awestruck by the Europeans' horses and firearms, both completely foreign to them. Their terror paved the way for Cortes' conquest as he exploited their vulnerability. Additionally, an ancient prophecy had foretold the return of Quetzalcoatl – a light-skinned bearded god who had once taught agriculture and government to the Aztecs. Seizing this opportunity, Cortes cleverly presented himself as this deity-like figure due to his resemblance to Quetzalcoatl. In this striking black-and-white engraving by W Holl from 1836, we see Hernan Cortes portrayed with great detail and intensity. His commanding presence is accentuated by his headgear and beard that symbolize power and authority. The artist masterfully captures not only Cortes' physical appearance but also hints at his ambition and greed for conquest. This historic image serves as a poignant reminder of how one man's determination can shape nations and civilizations. It invites us to contemplate both the triumphs achieved through exploration as well as its darker implications such as imperialism and invasion.
MADE IN THE USA
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools
FREE COLORIZATION SERVICE
You can choose advanced AI Colorization for this picture at no extra charge!
SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you
* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Cart.