Mask c. 19th century

pigment, wood

3d sculpting

pigment

egg art

sculptural image

portrait head and shoulder

sculpting

animal portrait

mid-section and head portrait

wood

animal drawing portrait

facial portrait

digital portrait

This 19th-century Maya mask, crafted from wood and adorned with intricate details, depicts a stylized human face. The mask's vibrant red and gold hues, along with the textured surfaces, lend a sense of theatricality to the piece. The prominent mustache and beard, crafted in gold, add a touch of regality. The mask is likely from the Yucatan peninsula, where they were used in ceremonial dances and rituals. This mask, now housed at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, provides insights into the rich artistic traditions of the Maya civilization.

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minneapolisinstituteofart about 1 year ago

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This mask represents Pedro de Alvarado, a Conquistador, and is used during the Dance of the Conquest that is performed in the Quiche region of Guatemala. In this dance, Alvarado and his soldiers battle with Tecun Uman, one of the last great Maya heroes. During the fight, the conquistador falls from a great wound inflicted by Tecun Uman, who thinks he has won and walks away, but Alvarado gets up and kills the Maya warrior before finally dying himself. The dance is accompanied by drums and whistles and the participants shout out the Quiche words of the ancient poem describing the conflict.