The painting "El descubrimiento del pulque" (The Discovery of Pulque) by Mexican artist José María Obregón, painted in the year 1869, due to the restauration of the Mexican Republic in 1867, the National School of Bellas Artes in Mexico City started promoting the interest towards pre-hispanic Mexican history as part of a liberal cultural project, which aimed to reinforce the national identity through art. In consequence, José María Obregón took inspiration of an important episode of Mexican history during the Tolteca Era. The painting depicts Xóchitil, an indigenous girl followed by her family, who can be seen offering the King Tula a small vase filled with a drink, which according the tradition she discovered. The King Tula, short after impressed by her beauty decided to marry her. In addition, in the background a multitude of people can be seen, witnessing the act and discussing it, a historical moment of the birth of one of the most important drinks in the culinary history of Mexico.
Years after historians started questioning the truth of this legend, after researching it, an error had been found in the interpretation of the historical texts, as the drink which was originally been presented to the King Tula was in fact not Pulque, but a candy flavoured drink. However, the historical importance of the painting was preserved, as an example of the building of a national identity during the 19th century.
To me, the Discovery of Pulque is more than the depiction of the origin of a traditional drink. It represents the moment when people begin to understand and make use of nature's resources through observation, curiosity and shared knowledge. The scene conveys a sense of discovery and reminds me that many cultural traditions begin with simple interactions between people and the natural world.
What I find most interesting is how the artwork celebrates knowledge as something that is passed from one generation to another. Rather than focusing solely on the drink itself, it seems to emphasize the stories, rituals and customs that develop around such discoveries. The figures appear connected through a shared experience, suggesting that culture is built collectively over time.
The painting also made me reflect on how closely human societies have always depended on nature,not only for survival but also for identity and tradition. It conveys the idea that ordinary discoveries can eventually become an important part of a community's heritage.
