Male Face, c. A.D. 700–900
Maya
Modeled in high relief, this stucco head was originally an architectural ornament for a state ceremonial building. Probably the portrait of an important official, the face has the high-bridged nose characteristic of the Maya, as well as shallow eye sockets and irregular features. Traces of brown and red pigment indicate that the rough stone was covered originally with a smooth plaster finish before being painted.
Modelada en alto relieve, esta cabeza de estuco fue, en sus orígenes, un ornamento arquitectónico de un edificio ceremonial del Estado. El rostro, que probablemente se trate del retrato de un importante funcionario, presenta la nariz de puente alto característica de los mayas, así como cavidades oculares poco profundas y facciones irregulares. Los rastros de pigmentos marrones y rojos indican que, originalmente, la piedra rugosa se encontraba recubierta con un suave acabado de yeso, que luego se pintaba.
(John A. Stokes, New York);
purchased by Kimbell Art Foundation, Fort Worth, 1971.