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The name Xochipala has been attached to an early style of
figurines and pottery unearthed in the modern Mexican state of
Guerrero. Xochipala figures are noteworthy not only for
naturalism, but also for their age. The Xochipala style dates to the
Early Formative period of Pre- Columbian Mesoamerican history
(around 1800- 200 B.C.), making them among the earliest works
of figurative art in the region, contemporaneous with the more
celebrated Olmec culture of the Gulf Coast. While certain scholars
have tried to trace links between the Olmec and Xochipala styles,
other scholars have ardently disagreed, making it possible that
any artistic similarities may have derived from cross-cultural
influences and not direct relations. While the Olmecs may have
overshadowed the Xochipala culture in our contemporary popular
knowledge of Mesoamerican history, Xochipala figures are almost
universally praised by scholars and connoisseurs for their striking
naturalistic modeling and sensitive depictions.
Even in a world where sports are a major
preoccupation, we cannot fully comprehend the
social and ritual significance of the ballgame in
ancient Mesoamerica. As this figure
demonstrates, women played too, a concept
modern society has only recently begun to
explore. She stands poised as if anticipating the
beginning of the game, very fit and healthy.
- (PF.0452)
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