Male Figure c. 250 - 400

This terracotta male figure was created by an artist from Michoacan. The figure’s confident stance, elaborate headdress and jewelry immediately indicate high social status. What does it mean to create an artwork of a high-status male in this society? Well, the figure would have had a clear message of wealth and power to its intended audience. Looking closer, it's interesting to note that the artist has portrayed the male figure in a very life-like way. The features, such as the nose and mouth, are all carefully carved to create a realistic effect. This could suggest that the artist was trying to convey a sense of realism and authenticity to their audience. The meaning of art is always contingent on its social and institutional context. As historians, it is our job to interpret the past through surviving objects. It would be fascinating to know the specific customs and social systems that this work reflects. Further archival research of the region may reveal this figure’s true purpose and significance.