Juan Patricio Morlette Y Ruiz Paintings

Juan Patricio Morlette Ruiz, born in 1713, is a somewhat obscure figure in the annals of art history, primarily known for his work connected to the pre-Columbian art of Mesoamerica. Details about his early life, upbringing, and training are not well-documented, which is not uncommon for many historical figures of the 18th century, especially those from New Spain (modern-day Mexico), which was a colonial territory of the Spanish Empire at the time.

Morlette Ruiz is most notably associated with his studies of the ancient Mayan city of Palenque in Chiapas, Mexico. Although he was not an artist in the traditional sense of a painter or sculptor, his contributions to the understanding and documentation of Mayan art and architecture are significant. In the mid-18th century, Morlette Ruiz was appointed by the Spanish government to oversee the examination and reporting of the newly discovered ruins of Palenque. His work in Palenque was part of a broader interest in the ancient civilizations of the New World that was emerging among European scholars during this period.

During his time at Palenque, Morlette Ruiz produced detailed drawings and descriptions of the site's architecture, sculptures, and hieroglyphics. These records were among the earliest scientific examinations of Mayan ruins and provided valuable information to later archaeologists and historians. Notably, his illustrations helped to disseminate knowledge of Mayan culture to a European audience that was largely unfamiliar with the complexities of pre-Columbian societies.

Despite the importance of his work, Morlette Ruiz's contributions were largely overshadowed by subsequent explorers and scholars, such as Antonio del Río, who later published reports on Palenque that received wider recognition. Morlette Ruiz's work remained in relative obscurity until later historians began to acknowledge his role in the early study of Mayan civilization. He passed away in 1772, and the extent of his contributions to the field of Mesoamerican studies has only been fully appreciated by later generations of scholars.