c. 200 - 400

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This terracotta figure, made by an artist from Nayarit, Mexico, stands as a testament to the region's rich artistic traditions. Notice the figure's seated posture, its crossed legs creating a foundational symmetry upon which the rest of the composition builds. The arms, one holding a spherical object, contribute to a dynamic interplay of shapes, enhanced by the warm, earthy tones of the terracotta. The surface is textured, creating a tactile sense that is further complicated by the intricate patterns adorning the figure’s torso and face. These designs, angular and precise, introduce a layer of complexity. The figure embodies a structural duality, balancing the simplicity of form with the complexity of decoration. This tension is at the heart of its enduring appeal, inviting us to contemplate the figure's cultural significance and the artistic vision behind its creation. It challenges fixed meanings, encouraging endless interpretation and reinterpretation.

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minneapolisinstituteofartover 2 years ago

This seated figure was one half of a male-female couple placed in a tomb to accompany the deceased in the afterlife. Female figures were typically shown holding serving vessels for food and drink, while male figures were depicted dressed for warfare or the ballgame, as in this example. This figure wears protective equipment and holds the hard rubber ball used in the Mesoamerican ballgame, associating him with the elevated class of ballplayers and warriors in Nayarit society. Naturally occurring rubber (hule) was in use in Mesoamerica by 1600 B.C., but it remained unknown outside the Americas before the Spanish Conquest that began in the late 15th century. As a material, rubber is dense and hard, thus the balls themselves could severely injure or even kill a player, furthering the associations between the ballgame and warfare. Modern team sports played with a ball such as soccer, football, and basketball are descendents of the ancient Mesoamerican ballgame.

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Nayarit

Minneapolis Institute of Art

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