Adela Breton: A Victorian Artist Amid Mexico's Ruins (review)

This beautifully illustrated book puts yet another woman back into the early days of the history of Mesoamerican archaeology with the story of Adela Breton. Breton, a Victorian lady of intelligence, means, and grit, as well as tremendous artistic talent, was born into a British family whose paternal side combined Wanderlust with writing skills. Following her father's death, she was free to indulge her desire for travel. During her first trip to Mexico in 1892, she fell in love with its antiquity and made the faithful, artistic rendering of its Maya sites and the presentation of her findings her life's work. It is thanks to her that we know how many fragile ruins looked before time, erosion, and the intrusion of outsiders conspired to destroy them. For example, a quick comparison between her color drawings at the Nunnery at Chichén Itzá and those made 25 years later by Jean Charlot testify poignantly to the value of her dedication. "Mentored" by Alfred Tozzer, and friends with Zelia Nuttall, she also made meticulous drawings of the site of Tula as well. In addition, she was a fixture in the Congresses of Americanists from 1902 on, where her work could be exhibited on the world stage until her death in 1923. Many of her works, notably her colorations of the Chichén Itzá casts for the Philadelphia Museum, are lost to us, but much remains to enthrall us. It will be great fun to see what travel and gender theorists will make of her adventurous life.