“Panel 7. Departure of Quetzalcoatl – The Epic of American Civilization” is an artwork created by Jose Clemente Orozco from 1932 to 1934, located in the Baker-Berry Library at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, United States. This piece utilizes the fresco medium and belongs to the muralism art movement. It is a symbolic painting and part of the series “The Epic of American Civilization (Dartmouth College Cycle) 1932-1934.”
The artwork depicts a dramatic and symbolic scene where Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent deity from Mesoamerican culture, is portrayed as departing. The central figure, characterized by a striking countenance and garb, points towards the horizon while surrounded by a tumultuous scene of serpentine forms and human figures. The tension between elements in the composition highlights the divine departure and evokes themes of struggle, transformation, and transcendence. The vivid colors and dynamic forms reflect Orozco’s mastery in conveying powerful narratives through muralism.
