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Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
Portrait Head
Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
© Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami. All rights reserved.

Portrait Head

Artist/Maker (Mesoamerica)
Dateca. 600-900
Mediumstucco and paint
DimensionsOverall: 7 3/4 x 7 1/8 x 4 1/8 in. (19.7 x 18.1 x 10.5 cm)
ClassificationsVisual Works
Credit LineGift of May Cassard
Terms
    Object number86.0220
    DescriptionThe style of this stucco head, with much of its original pigment, relates to architectural stuccoes from southern Campeche. The elongated nose was considered a symbol of beauty to the Mayan elite. It was artificially extended upwards between the brows by attaching a false bridge made of wood or wax. The slightly crossed eyes were also considered a sign of nobility attained by suspending from an infant's cradleboard, an object which hung between its eyes. A slack lower lip with exposed teeth was another characteristic of portrait heads.
    On View
    Not on view
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Maya (archaeological culture)
    ca. 700-900
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Maya (archaeological culture)
    ca. 400
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    James Rosenquist
    1974
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    James Rosenquist
    1974
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    James Rosenquist
    1974
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    James Rosenquist
    1974
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Bamana people
    not dated
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Olmec
    ca. 800-300 BCE
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Artist Unknown
    late 19th to early 20th century (printed 1992)
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Fon people
    not dated
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Frank Stella
    1974