GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Many traditional African artists portray their subjects as youthful, regardless of their true age. Though depicted as a muscular youth, this figure has a long beard denoting old age and wisdom. He is also civilized, as indicated by his carefully groomed hair, scarification marks, and manicured fingernails and toenails, as well as his calm and contemplative facial expression. The lighter color of the wood in the area of his loins suggests the figure was originally clothed.
Used by Baule diviners to beautify a shrine room, sculpted figures attract spirits to the divination ritual and encourage them to reveal solutions to a client's problems. Because it was made to please only the spirits, it was covered with white cloth.
Excerpt from
Roslyn A. Walker, Label text, Arts of Africa, 2015.
NOTES
Fun fact from 'L0178 Seated Baule Figure,' in Collections Records object file (1994.200.McD).
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PROVENANCE
From at least 1925-1973: Isaac Païlès Collection, Paris
1994: Dallas Museum of Art, The Eugene and Margaret McDermott Art Fund, Inc. (accessioned: November 22, 1994), purchased from L. & R. Entwistle and Company Ltd. (Lance and Roberta Entwistle), London [1]
Notes:
The main source for this provenance was the existing TMS record.
[1] Works of art given or purchased by The Eugene and Margaret McDermott Art Fund, Inc., a non-profit organization, are placed in the custody of the DMA for the purpose of public display on the premises of the Museum or in other recognized art galleries or museums. The title to all works of art purchased (or otherwise acquired) by the McDermott Fund remains with the Fund.
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FUN FACTS
This work was collected in the 1930s by the Russian painter Isaac Païlès (1895-1978).
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General Description
Many traditional African artists portray their subjects as youthful, regardless of their true age. Though depicted as a muscular youth, this figure has a long beard denoting old age and wisdom. He is also civilized, as indicated by his carefully groomed hair, scarification marks, and manicured fingernails and toenails, as well as his calm and contemplative facial expression. The lighter color of the wood in the area of his loins suggests the figure was originally clothed.
Used by Baule diviners to beautify a shrine room, sculpted figures attract spirits to the divination ritual and encourage them to reveal solutions to a client's problems. Because it was made to please only the spirits, it was covered with white cloth.
Excerpt from
Roslyn A. Walker, Label text, Arts of Africa, 2015.
Fun Facts
This work was collected in the 1930s by the Russian painter Isaac Païlès (1895-1978).
Archival Resources
Web Resources
Notes
Fun fact from 'L0178 Seated Baule Figure,' in Collections Records object file (1994.200.McD).
Catalogue essays specific to object
Artist/designers
Cultures
Geography
Process/materials
Historical periods
Individuals
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
From at least 1925-1973: Isaac Païlès Collection, Paris
1994: Dallas Museum of Art, The Eugene and Margaret McDermott Art Fund, Inc. (accessioned: November 22, 1994), purchased from L. & R. Entwistle and Company Ltd. (Lance and Roberta Entwistle), London [1]
Notes:
The main source for this provenance was the existing TMS record.
[1] Works of art given or purchased by The Eugene and Margaret McDermott Art Fund, Inc., a non-profit organization, are placed in the custody of the DMA for the purpose of public display on the premises of the Museum or in other recognized art galleries or museums. The title to all works of art purchased (or otherwise acquired) by the McDermott Fund remains with the Fund.
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1994.200.McD
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