Mask c. 20th century

This intriguing mask, of unknown origin, is housed here at the Minneapolis Institute of Art and measures approximately 20 by 10 1/2 inches. The anonymous maker has shaped and painted a face with considerable character, drawing our attention to the structure of the mask itself. Notice how the face is rendered, with the stark contrast between the white base and the red cheeks and the penetrating gaze created by the green eyes. This is juxtaposed with the beard, which cascades downwards in a series of elaborate curls, an imposing form but destabilized by the small, brightly colored frog nestled within it. What does this signify? We can speculate, through the mask’s formal qualities and the cultural codes it may represent. The contrast between the human and animal elements suggests a world where identities are fluid. The mask then, becomes not just an object, but an active participant in the cultural discourse around identity. It is a site where meanings are not fixed but constantly negotiated and re-interpreted.