Solar System Mandala

Circumscribed by a circle, we behold a stylized representation of our solar system: Earth, a crescent moon, the sun, Saturn, Mars, and perhaps Jupiter. This is where things get more complex, since among the smaller stars there are also four-pointed "natal stars"--so called because they symbolize the Star of Bethlehem and whose shape sometimes prefigures the crucifix. It's also interesting that North America is foreshortened so as to minimize its size; Mexico and Central America are relatively larger. Along with his reference to the Mexican national emblem in another drawing, it supports the likelihood that León was from Mexico. Note: this image comes from an earlier digital photograph, whose smaller file size may limit detail.

León, Emilio Alvarez

Digital photograph of drawing