Denver Art Museum’s Newest Exhibition ‘La Malinche’ Explores History Of A Relatively Unknown & Controversial Girl – CBS Denver

DENVER (CBS4) – You probably don’t know her or her story, but without her, Colorado as we know it wouldn’t exist. The girl known as “La Malinche” is the star of the newest exhibition at the Denver Art Museum.

(credit: CBS)

Even though her given name is unknown, Victoria Lyall, The Fredrick & Jan Mayer Curator of the Ancient Americas, says there are a lot of things you can call the girl who translated for Spanish conquistadors as they colonized Mexico.

“We call her Marina, Malintzin, Malinalli, and Malinche,” said Lyall.

Lyall says her life story is complicated and that makes describing her and her contribution to the history of The America’s difficult.

“Sold as a slave. Interpreter companion. Survivor,” is how Lyall said Artist Annie Lopez Portrays La Malinche.