This book is a series in which photographer Juan Brenner conducts an in-depth visual study of contemporary Guatemalan society, viewed through the lens of mestizaje and the immeasurable consequences of the Spanish conquest. It positions Pedro de Alvarado as a central figure—not only in the conquest of Guatemala, which he indeed was—but also as a key figure in the formation of a complex, segregated, and deeply conflicted society.
“Tonatiuh” is Juan Brenner’s first book after more than 20 years of a photographic career—first as a fashion photographer in New York, and later as a photojournalist in his native Guatemala.
The book brings us closer to major social issues in Central America, such as violence, gender-related concerns, and migration, offering a broad view of modern Guatemala.
Juan Brenner visited more than 50 towns across Guatemala, following in the footsteps of Pedro de Alvarado to take the photographs. At the end of the photobook, there is a map showing the locations he visited, along with a thoughtful explanation of the images that provides a powerful perspective on the work.