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William Frej Maya Ruins Revisited: In the Footsteps of Teobert Maler Portfolio

 Collection
Identifier: PICT-2021-002

Scope and Content

The portfolio contains 14 black and white photographs of Mayan sites in Mexico (Chiapas, Yucatan, and Campeche) and the Peten region of Guatemala. Some are well documented sites, but most have been seen by few visitors.

Sites in Mexico include Chichen Itza, Uxmal, Kabah and Sacbe (Yucatan); Santa Rosa Xtampak, Nocuchich, Hochob, Tantah, and Dzibiltun (Campeche) and Yaxchilan (Chiapas). Guatemalan sites of Tikal and Yaxha are both located in the Peten Peninsula.

The portfolio also contains a colophon, artist’s statement, and description/background for each photograph. Photographs were taken between 2015 and 2018; the portfolio was published in 2020.

Dates

  • 2015-2020

Creator

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Copy Restrictions

Limited duplication of CSWR material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy, and libel laws. Permission is required for publication or distribution. For more information see the Photographs and Images Research Guide and contact the Pictorial Archivist.

Biographical Information

William Frej first visited Mayan sites in the Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula in 1971, fresh out of architecture school. German explorer and photographer, Teobert Maler, and specifically his 1892 photograph of El Castillo at Chichen Itza was the major inspiration for Frej’s work. Frej began retracing Maler’s route and photographing many of the same sites in 2013, as he retired from a 30-year career in the Foreign Service. The result of this project is Maya Ruins Revisited: In the Footsteps of Teobert Maler, published by Peyton Wright Gallery in Santa Fe, NM and distributed by the University of Oklahoma Press.

Sources:

William Frej Photography website

"Standing the test of time: Photographer William Frej and Maya Ruins”

Extent

14 items (1 box) : 14 photographs

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Maya Ruins Revisited: In the Footsteps of Teobert Maler contains 14 black and white photographs taken in Mexico and Guatemala by William Frej, 2015-2018.

Physical Location

B2. Shelved in Big Box location by Pictorial Number.

Separated Material

Maya ruins revisited : in the footsteps of Teobert Maler / William Frej ; with essays by Stephan Merk and Alma Duran-Merk [and 3 others] is available at the UNM Fine Arts and Design Library.
Title
Finding Aid of the William Frej Maya Ruins Revisited: In the Footsteps of Teobert Maler Portfolio, 2015-2020
Status
Edited Full Draft
Author
B. Silbergleit
Date
© 2021
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is in English

Repository Details

Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository

Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451