Hellenistic Man at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

"Hellenistic art is very international." —Carlos A. Picón, Curator in Charge, Department of Greek and Roman Art

To maintain social order

The Guro of Africa think of masks as spiritual beings, neither human nor animal, who were captured in the forest and brought to villages. In the western Guro areas, the most powerful masks are associated with the cult of Dje. The Guro believe that all dje masks are dangerous; the mere sight of them can be lethal to women and the uninitiated.  This example has a face that most closely resembles a baboon, an animal that is mischievous but also very dangerous. It would have been used in a men’s association that served to settle disputes and maintain social order.

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Paraskeva Clark at the Ottawa Art Gallery

Paraskeva Clark, Leningrad Memories - Public Bath (1964), oil on board, 82 x 102.5 cm. Collection of Javier Espinal and Panya Clark Espinal. Photo: David Barbour

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