Masker met uitgezakte wangen en trossen bessen in het haar 1555

This is ‘Mask with Sagging Cheeks and Bunches of Berries in Her Hair’ by Frans Huys, an engraving, dating back to the mid-16th century. Huys made this print at a time of immense religious and social upheaval in Europe. Masks, historically used in rituals and theater, often served as a medium to explore identity. Here, we see a face that is both grotesque and adorned. The sagging cheeks suggest decay or sorrow, while the berries hint at fertility and abundance, illustrating a common Northern Renaissance theme of mortality versus vitality. The mask’s ambiguous expression allows for multiple interpretations, embodying the complexities of human existence. Look at how the contrasting elements speak to the anxieties and uncertainties of a rapidly changing world. The print invites us to reflect on the many faces we present to the world, and the often contradictory emotions we carry within.