Caption

Tragic mask, terracotta, 4th/3rd century BC, Southern Italy. Tragic mask depicting a male face, likely a decorative element antefix?. The lower part, with the beard its underside edges are flat, is set at a near-perpendicular angle to the facial part and forms the base. Realistic theatrical features: protruding cheekbones, deep furrows around mouth and eyes, wide-open mouth with almost horizontal lower lip and arched upper lip. Large, deep-set eyeballs with circular cut-out holes at slightly different heights right higher than left. Slightly hooked nose with horizontal wrinkles, thick eyebrows, vertical forehead wrinkles, and a convex forehead. Above the forehead is a flat, high onkos with schematically marked locks of hair, bounded by folds of cloth. Light orange clay, unevenly fired at the fracture turning red. Traces of polychrome—red paint on the cheek, black on the beard and hair. The upper right part above the forehead has been reconstructed., A sculpted stone or clay mask resting on a reflective surface, showing a stylized human face with pronounced brow ridges, closed or downcast eyes, a broad nose, and a slightly open mouth; the top of the piece has a rounded arch or handle with textured, pitted surface detail. The object displays weathered surfaces and worn edges, with visible cracks and chips. Colors visible include shades of gray, beige, tan, brown, and hints of ochre, with darker gray in recessed areas and a muted gray background and reflection beneath the object.

Credit line

Photo12/Liszt Collection

Reference

LZT26A02_464

License type

Rights managed

Available size

85.3Mb (1.4Mb) / 16.6in x 19.9in / 4988 x 5974 (300dpi)

Keywords

Tragic mask terracotta 4th 3rd century BC Southern Italy Tragic mask depicting male face decorative element antefix lower part beard underside edges flat set near-perpendicular angle facial part forms base Realistic theatrical features protruding cheekbones deep furrows mouth eyes wide-open mouth almost horizontal lower lip arched upper lip Large deep-set eyeballs circular cut- holes slightly different heights right higher left Slightly hooked nose horizontal wrinkles thick eyebrows vertical forehead wrinkles convex forehead forehead high onkos schematically marked locks hair bounded folds cloth Light orange clay unevenly fired fracture turning red Traces polychrome red paint cheek black upper right part reconstructed sculpted stone clay mask resting reflective surface showing stylized human face pronounced brow ridges closed downcast eyes broad nose slightly open mouth top piece rounded arch handle textured pitted surface detail object displays weathered surfaces worn edges visible cracks chips Colors visible include shades gray beige tan brown hints ochre darker gray recessed areas muted gray background reflection beneath object.