Mask c. late 19th century

Editor: So, this is a Lumbo mask from the late 19th century, crafted out of wood and currently residing at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. I'm immediately struck by its serene expression; the closed eyes and subtly pursed lips evoke a sense of inner peace. What do you see in this piece that maybe I'm missing? Curator: Well, the Lumbo people, who are located along the western coast of Gabon, typically use masks like this in ceremonies relating to rites of passage, especially funerals. I'm curious: Does the cool and neutral palette reinforce for you the dignity accorded to death? The quiet transition of existence? It is intriguing to imagine. Editor: It does now! And I guess the smoothness of the face also gives it a… timelessness? A removal from the everyday? Curator: Precisely! See how the wood is treated? There's a deliberation involved, a honing of craft towards the reverential. It asks us not to gaze, but to *consider*. Look at the elegant simplicity, like the almost architectural quality of the coiffure on the head! Do you agree this contrasts nicely with the soft curves of the face itself? It might be about identity as constructed versus essence. Editor: I see that now. It's like a statement of intent carved in wood. This mask seems to whisper more than it shouts. Thank you! Curator: And *you* helped me revisit that sacred quiet. What a delightful paradox – masks intended for raucous ritual exude tranquility for modern eyes. Isn't that fascinating?