Painted Books From Mexico

Before books became things you could order online at two in the morning while wearing slippers, they occasionally took far more imaginative forms. Painted Books from Mexico by Gordon Brotherston introduces readers to a world where books were not merely written but painted, where history, mythology, astronomy, religion and politics could all be recorded in vivid images that transformed pages into works of art.

Published by the British Museum Press in 1995, this fascinating volume explores the remarkable pictorial manuscripts created by the peoples of ancient Mexico. Long before PowerPoint presentations, infographics and social media timelines attempted to explain complex information visually, Mesoamerican scribes and artists had already perfected the art of telling stories through images. One suspects they would have regarded modern clip-art with a mixture of confusion and disappointment.

The books themselves are extraordinary. Created on bark paper, animal skin or cloth, they contain elaborate sequences of symbols, figures, colours and scenes that recorded everything from dynastic histories and sacred rituals to calendars and cosmological beliefs. They are beautiful, mysterious and occasionally bewildering, particularly to readers accustomed to books in which words have the decency to remain in neat horizontal rows.

Brotherston acts as a knowledgeable guide through this rich visual tradition, helping readers understand how these painted manuscripts functioned and why they remain so important. He opens a window onto cultures that developed sophisticated systems of recording knowledge long before European contact, demonstrating that history is often far more complex than the simplified versions many of us encountered at school.

One of the great ironies surrounding these manuscripts is that many survived despite extraordinary odds. Conquest, war, censorship, neglect and the passage of centuries have removed countless examples forever. The surviving painted books therefore occupy a peculiar position: they are simultaneously fragile artefacts and astonishingly resilient survivors.

The subject matter itself can feel wonderfully otherworldly. Here are rulers, gods, ceremonies, journeys through sacred landscapes and visions of the universe unlike anything found in European traditions. Readers may find themselves repeatedly pausing to admire the illustrations before realising they have forgotten to continue reading. This is not necessarily a flaw. Some books demand attention through their prose. Others earn it through their sheer visual splendour.

There is also something delightfully humbling about the whole enterprise. Modern society often congratulates itself on discovering new ways to communicate information visually, yet these painted books quietly remind us that humans have been combining art, symbolism and storytelling for centuries. The tools may have changed; the impulse remains exactly the same.

This Good-condition copy offers an engaging introduction to a remarkable area of world history and artistic achievement. Whether you are interested in archaeology, anthropology, art history, indigenous cultures or simply beautiful and unusual books, there is much here to enjoy. It is scholarly without being impenetrable and informative without becoming dry.

Readers should be warned that the book may inspire a sudden desire to visit museum collections, learn about ancient Mexican civilisations or become mildly obsessed with codices. Such side effects are entirely normal and considerably cheaper than many hobbies.

Perfect for historians, art lovers, students, collectors and anyone who enjoys discovering that the history of books is far stranger and more inventive than they previously imagined.

Sold by Crappy Old Books, where books about ancient painted manuscripts somehow survive the centuries only to find themselves sharing shelf space with forgotten management guides and 1970s knitting manuals.

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