Images

A detail of a mural showing Juan de Grijalva (1489-1527), the Spanish conquistador who explored the coast of Mexico in 1518, meeting a Maya chief on the Tabasco coast.

A portrait engraving of Juan de Grijalva (1489-1527), the Spanish conquistador who explored the coast of Mexico in 1518.

An early 19th-century illustration by Julius Hübner showing Johann Eck (l. 1486-1543), the Catholic theologian and writer, in his debate with Martin Luther (l. 1483-1546) at Leipzig in 1519. (Galerie Neue Meister, Dresden, Germany)

An early 18th-century engraving showing Johann Eck (l. 1486-1543), the Catholic theologian and writer best known for his disputations with Martin Luther (l. 1483-1546).

A 16th-century engraving showing Johann Eck (l. 1486-1543), the Catholic theologian and writer best known for his disputations with Martin Luther (l. 1483-1546).

Artist's impression of a palace scene in Zhou Dynasty China. Created by Amplitude Studios for the video game Humankind.

An Aztec (Mexica) shield of wood covered in turquoise and shell mosaic. Likely used only as a ceremonial shield. The design shows solar disks and a long, winding snake crisscrossing the shield horizontally. The shield was dedicated to the...

A detail of a plate commemorating the 1790 Civil Constitution of the Clergy showing a priest swearing allegiance to the French state. The text translates as "I swear to maintain with all my power the Constitution". (Musée Carnavalet, Paris)

A 1775 portrait by Pompeo Batoni of Pope Pius VI (r. 1775-99). (National Gallery of Ireland)

An 1815 caricature of Charles Maurice Talleyrand-Périgord (1754-1838), bishop of Autun. He is shown with six heads to reflect his ability to survive six regime changes in France.