UNKNOWN AUTHOR: Illustration of folio 51 from the Códex Borgia I, c.1300-1400 - pigments on deer skin - Vatican Library, Rome

Along with the Nutall Codex (now in the British Museum ) the Borgia codex is considered the most representative of all the Pre-Columbian codexes conserved nowadays. Their importance goes beyond the merely artistic, since the numerous illustrations that they contain are of a pivotal importance to know many aspects from the life and beliefs of this culture. True wonders of plasticity and expressivity, this Ancient Mesoamerican codex shows, with crudity and vigour, scenes of sacrifices, Gods and even the ball game. The bright colours, the expressivity of the figures and the disposition of the scenes mysteriously approach these works to some comics from many centuries later. Anyway, these codexes are of vital importance because they told us abput the fears and beliefs of a civilization that we will never know.