Standing Female Figure

Date

1500 - 1300 BCE

Creator

[I]t breaks many of the stylistic conventions of its time. The curves and tapered volumes of the arms, legs, and torso combine with a forward-thrusting head to give the figure a sense of restrained energy, negating its static frontal pose. Visual balance among the body elements—the broad flat head, the torso and thighs, and the negative space between the legs—creates an impression of monumentality. Some Olmec aesthetic conventions are maintained in the figurine, including a high female waist located immediately below the ribcage, slightly flexed knees, and a superbly executed face. The up-turned upper lip, slightly down-turned mouth, and gracefully incised eye curves are all classic Olmec features. A T-shaped arrangement of teeth links this elite woman to the Sun God, who is characterized by a similar dentition. The figurine's excellent state of preservation is remarkable. Deep cavities in both the groin and sacroiliac allowed moisture in the thickest portions of the clay to escape, preventing it from exploding during firing. Nonetheless, trapped moisture appears to have caused small areas to flake off both thighs. The face and ears are completely intact and the body is unbroken, although the toes have been restored. [...] [V]isible with ultraviolet light are a faded ritual ballgame buttocks belt, or loincloth, and faded padding running down the left thigh, which would have protected the leg used to hit the ball. Red pigment remains in varying degrees on the body's action points, as well—eyes, ears, nose, mouth, back and top of head, neck, limb joints, and groin. from Snite Museum of Art, Selected Works: Snite Museum of Art (Notre Dame, 2005)