In
the 15th and 16th Centuries the cultural and economic development
of the Inca Empire reached its peak. When the Spaniards first
arrived they found that local high ranking women were not only
extremely beautiful and distinguished but also wielded religious
and political power. Peruvian historian Dr. Maria Rostworowski
wrote:-
”Inca
noble women took extreme care with their personal appearance,
grooming and dress. Many of these women would have very long
straight hair the length of their backs and this extra attention
to detail in appearance and dress would distinguish them from
commoners. Noble women would be carried on litters by male
servants and Fransisco Pizarro, who led the Spanish conquest,
was particularly struck by their beauty”.
The
objective of the Inca Princess Photo Project is to redefine
Andean women and produce images that convey a sense of identity,
beauty and dignity, as true of today‘s South American women
as of the ancient Incan nobles.
