Temple of the Sun to the Temple of the Foliated Cross, Palenque

© Edward Ranney

Temple of the Sun to the Temple of the Foliated Cross, Palenque

Currently not on view

Temple of the Sun to the Temple of the Foliated Cross, Palenque,

1970

Edward Ranney, American, born 1942
2000-160
Although Ranney has spent much of his career photographing Andean ruins in Peru, his first book, Stonework of the Maya (1974), records the remains of pre-Columbian cities in Central America that he visited in 1970. This photograph follows his stated intention to show the "interdependence of the cultural and natural landscapes of the ancient Maya." For Ranney, the traces convey not only factual information about the sites but also the "spirit of the culture."

This image is from an ancient city located in the modern-day Mexican state of Chiapas. It provides a view across the "Cross Group" architectural complex at Palenque. The complex is among the numerous ambitious projects of King K’ihnich Kan Bahlam II, during his reign from A.D. 684 to 702.

Information

Title
Temple of the Sun to the Temple of the Foliated Cross, Palenque
Dates

1970

Maker
Edward Ranney
Medium

Gelatin silver print

Dimensions

19 x 23.8 cm. (7 1/2 x 9 3/8 in.)
mount: 35.7 x 43.2 cm. (14 1/16 x 17 in.)

Credit Line

Gift of John B. Elliott, Class of 1951

Object Number
2000-160
Signatures

signed on mount lower right below image

Culture
American
Type
black-and-white photographs, photographs

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