(Below is a close-up to view paint texture for Aztec Gold)
The petals of this vibrant tangerine coloured gerbera radiate out from the centre like rays of sunshine... or gold. The Aztec people were conquered by the Spaniards in the 1500's. In search of fortune, especially gold, the Spaniards' greed led them to believe the Aztecs had vast amounts of golden treasure.
My research tells me that the Aztecs possessed more knowledge of metallurgy than perhaps gold... Yes they mined gold and silver, but also copper. It seems they discovered a process to create beautiful treasures of 'pure gold', (or so the Spaniards believed) by using mostly copper and a small amount of gold, a product called 'Tumbaga', to create exquisite objects. The Conquistadors were dupped! The lesson learned... "all that glitters is not gold."
SOLD
9x12 oil on canvas (needs some drying time)