The artwork, titled “Flea,” created by the artist “Aztec Art” circa 1500, is a stone sculpture representative of the Post-classic period spanning from 900 to 1580. It aligns with the genres of both sculpture and animal painting. This historically significant piece is housed at the Museo Nacional de Antropología (MNA) in Mexico City, Mexico.
The sculpture portrays a remarkably intricate representation of a flea, carved meticulously from stone. The artist has skillfully rendered the detailed and textured surface of the flea, evoking a sense of lifelike presence despite its minute size in reality. The artwork conveys the Aztec mastery over stone carving, revealing their keen observation of the natural world and their ability to translate it into enduring art forms. The sculptural form is robust and conveys a sense of vitality, emblematic of Aztec artistry during the Post-classic period.
