Inca: Conquests of the Andes explores the effects of the dynamic nature of state expansion and imperial conquest on Andean visual arts. The Inca Empire developed through the 15th and early 16th centuries, encompassing the central Andes of South America. Before and after the Inca Empire, political expansions by local states or foreign empires continually transformed the Andean coast and highlands. The visual arts of these periods reflect the dynamism of such cultural convergence.
The exhibition presents more than 120 works primarily drawn from the DMA’s collection, many of which are on view for the first time, along with significant loans. The Inca (Inka) and their imperial impact are framed by pre-Inca cultures, such as the Huari (Wari), and the successive early Spanish colonial period. The exhibition reflects the traditional media of Andean visual arts, from ceramic and wood to gold, silver, feather, and textile objects. They convey the richness and dynamism of over 1,000 years of Andean cultural history.
Los Incas y las conquistas de los Andes
Los Incas y las conquistas de los Andes explora el efecto dinámico que tuvieron la expansión territorial y la conquista imperial en las artes visuales andinas. El imperio inca se desarrolló durante el siglo XV e inicios del siglo XVI, abarcando la zona central de los Andes en Sudamérica. Antes y después del auge del imperio inca, las políticas de expansión de varios estados locales e imperios foráneos transformaron la costa y sierra andina. Las artes visuales de estos periodos reflejan el dinamismo de esta concurrencia de culturas.
Esta exposición presenta más de 120 obras, siendo muchas de ellas exhibidas por primera vez. Los incas y su impacto imperial están enmarcados por culturas preincaicas, como los huari (wari), y por el posterior periodo colonial de dominio español. La exposición muestra las tradicionales técnicas y materiales de las artes visuales andinas, de la obras de cerámica y madera a los objetos de oro, plata, plumas, y textiles. Todos ellos ejemplifican la riqueza y dinamismo de los más de 1000 años de la historia cultural andina.
.
Explore objects in new dimensions
To enable 3D viewing, simply select the object image and use a mouse or trackpad to turn it 360 degrees and explore the hidden details. Photographers from the DMA partnered with Google Cultural Institute to create these interactive images; click here to see more 3D objects from the DMA’s collection.
Cup (quero) with figures plowing/Vaso (quero) con figuras arando, 17th-18th century
The ritual consumption of maize beer, or aqha (a’qa) was associated with the agricultural calendar. The scene on this cups refers to the connection between the quero and agriculture. The scene may recall an agricultural ceremony of late August, with the large flowers along the base symbolizing fecundity.
Bottle with reclining feline and openwork band/Botella con felino reposado y banda calada, A.D. 1440–1570
This vessel reflects the influence of Inca imperial expansion on coastal ceramic styles. While the stirrup spout bottle was predominant in Chimú fine ceramic arts, this Late Horizon Chimú blackware vessels exhibit the distinctive features of the common Inca vessel, the urpu, including the long, constricted neck, and wide body.
Inca: Conquests of the Andes will require an $16.00 special exhibition ticket
Inca: Conquests of the Andes is organized by the Dallas Museum of Art and curated by Kimberly L. Jones, The Ellen and Harry S. Parker III Assistant Curator of the Arts of the Americas. Generous support provided by Northwestern Mutual Financial Network. Additional support provided by The Selz Foundation. Air transportation provided by American Airlines. 
Images: Tunic with black-and-white checkerboard and stepped yoke/Túnica ajedrezada y yugo escalonado, Peru: Andean highlands, Inca (Inka), culture, A.D. 1400–1540, camelid fiber, Dallas Museum of Art, The Eugene and Margaret McDermott Art Fund, Inc. in honor of Carol Robbins, 1995.32.McD; Cups with standing figures holding war clubs/Vasos con figuras paradas portando mazos, Peru: north coast, Sicán (Lambayeque)culture, A.D. 900–1100, gold, Dallas Museum of Art, The Nora and John Wise Collection, gift of Mr. and Mrs. Jake L. Hamon, the Eugene McDermott Family, Mr. and Mrs. Algur H. Meadows and the Meadows Foundation, Incorporated, and Mr. and Mrs. John D. Murchison, 1976.W.548; Four-cornered hat/Gorro de cuatro puntas, Peru: south-central highlands or coast, Huari (Wari) culture, A.D. 700–900, camelid fiber, Dallas Museum of Art, The Nora and John Wise Collection, gift of Mr. and Mrs. Jake L. Hamon, the Eugene McDermott Family, Mr. and Mrs. Algur H. Meadows and the Meadows Foundation, Incorporated, and Mr. and Mrs. John D. Murchison, 1976.W.2013; Ornament/Adorno, Peru: north coast, Chimú culture, A.D. 1100–1470, silver, Dallas Museum of Art, the Nora and John Wise Collection, bequest of John Wise, 1983.W.991; Miniature female figure/Figurina miniatura femenina, Peru: Andean highlands or coast, Inca (Inka) culture, A.D. 1400–1540, gld, Private Collection; Star-shaped club head/Cabeza de porra en forma de estrella, Peru: Andean coast, A.D. 100–700, copper, Dallas Museum of Art, The Nora and John Wise Collection, gift of Mr. and Mrs. Jake L. Hamon, the Eugene McDermott Family, Mr. and Mrs. Algur H. Meadows and the Meadows Foundation, Incorporated, and Mr. and Mrs. John D. Murchison, 1976.W.1773; Cup (quero) with figures plowing/Vaso (quero) con figuras arando , Perú , 17th-18th century, wood, pigmented resin inlay, and meta, Dallas Museum of Art, the Nora and John Wise Collection, gift of Mr. and Mrs. Jake L. Hamon, the Eugene McDermott Family, Mr. and Mrs. Algur H. Meadows and the Meadows Foundation, Incorporated, and Mr. and Mrs. John D. Murchison, 1976.W.1851; Bottle with reclining feline and openwork band/Botella con felino reposado y banda calada, Peru: south coast?, A.D. 1440–1570, ceramic and slip paints, Dallas Museum of Art, gift of Sally and William C. Estes in tribute to John Lunsford and the contributions he made to the pre-Columbian collection of the Dallas Museum of Art on the occasion of his 70th birthday, 2003.28