A Mayan Stela, Long at LACMA, Returns to Mexico

La Mar Stela 3, 795 CE. (c) Museum Associates/LACMA

LACMA's Unframed blog reports that a Mayan stela, on loan to the institution since 1981, was restituted to Mexico in September 2021. Known as La Mar Stela 3, it is now on view at the Salón Iberoamericano of the Secretary of Public Education, Mexico City. 

The stela was previously on display at the pre-Norton Simon Pasadena Museum and the Bowers Museum. At LACMA it was one of the most striking works of Mayan sculpture. Inscriptions identify the main figure as Parrot Chahk, either a mortal warrior or an avian incarnation of the rain god Chahk.

The Unframed post does not identify the American lender of the stela but says that LACMA "collaborated on this diplomatic effort to see the monument's return to Mexico."

Comments

Anonymous said…
LACMA should try to hand out as much of its stored artworks as possible. The museum will need a lot more space to show all its new upcoming draperies.

I wonder if they'll want to use shutters or Venetian blinds on some of the windows?
Anonymous said…
^^^Making fun of drapery, really? Lots of museums have drapery or solar blinds.

... As for LACMA, the art keeps coming:

In 2024, LACMA will receive 24 tennis court drawings by Jonas Wood. This group of drawings was shown in 2018 at Shane Campbell Gallery.
This comment has been removed by the author.
Yowzuh! "The stela was previously on display at the pre-Norton Simon Pasadena Museum and the Bowers Museum."
Norton Simon is 50+ years old by now, unless I'm mistaken.
Some collector has been very generous with their treasures.
How about a 20-year loan to my poor Met?
Anonymous said…
"In 2024, LACMA will receive 24 tennis court drawings by Jonas Wood."


That should make the Broad and Lucas museums green with envy. Much less the Met or Louvre.

LACMA might also consider using louver draperies in some of their windows.

Not sure, however, whether the mini-blind style will quite fit the building. Maybe, maybe not.