Adela Breton and the Temple of the Jaguar: A Victorian perspective on the art of Chichén Itzá.

Abstract

This study has three aims: to assess the archaeological significance of Adela Breton’s work; to explore the relationship between Breton’s perspective and her paintings; and to evaluate the research potential of the Breton collection in light of this evidence. To date, no investigation has considered the value of the Breton collection in relation to Breton’s own ideals and experiences. This thesis therefore seeks to extend prior work to approach this gap in the literature, putting visual culture theories into practice that have yet to be applied to a Western case. The study uses a qualitative approach, analysing key elements of interdisciplinary research to evaluate how far Breton’s perspective influences the significance of her work. To illustrate these ideas, reproductions of murals from a specific temple at Chichén Itzá is used as a case study to tangibly develop the thesis argument. Following this method of approach, the findings reveal that Breton’s subjective experience of Mesoamerica as a Victorian, woman, artist and traveller is imperative to the importance and understanding of her work. The culmination of this thesis prompts a re-thinking of how visual culture theory can be used to further archaeological knowledge, and there is significant potential for future study.