Mask

Artist Unknown (Toussian, Burkina Faso)

Place of OriginBurkina Faso, West Africa

Date20th Century

Dimensions26 3/8 in. (67 cm)

Mediumwood, raffia fringe

ClassificationSculpture

Credit LinePurchased with funds from the Libbey Endowment, Gift of Edward Drummond Libbey, by exchange

Object number

2024.14

Not on View

DescriptionLarge wood mask with exaggerated head, nose, hairstyle, and chin featuring decorative markings throughout the face and body. An extended stylized neck, pendulous breasts, and four legs comprise the substructure.

Published ReferencesFagg, W., Masques d’Afrique dans les collections du musée Barbier-Müller, Paris, 1980, p. 49 Rubin, W. et al., Le Primitivisme dans l’art du 20th siècle. Les artistes modernes devant l’art tribal/“Primitivism” in 20th Century Art. Affinity of the Tribal and the Modern, New York, 1984, vol. I, p. 26 et vol. II, plat recto Lehuard, R., « Primitivism in 20th Century Art », in Arts d'Afrique Noire, Arnouville, hiver 1984, n° 52, p. 10 Roy, C., Art of the Upper Volta Rivers, Meudon, 1987, pp. 24 et 365, n° 314Exhibition HistorySoleure, Kunstmuseum Solothurn, Masques d’Afrique dans les collections du musée Barbier-Müller, January 1 – December 31. New York, MOMA – Museum of Modern Art, Primitivism in 20th Century Art: Affinity of the Tribal and Modern, September 27,1984 – January 15, 1985. Düsseldorf, Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen, Afrikanische Kunst aus der Sammlung Barbier-Mueller, Genf, February 27 – April 10, 1988; Frankfurt, Francfort-sur-leMain, Schirn Kunsthalle June 4 August 14, 1988 ; Munich, Haus der Kunst, December 17, 1988 – February 19, 1989 ; Geneva, Musée Rath, March 15 – May 15, 1989 ; Berne, Kunstmuseum Bern, November 16, 1990 – February 24, 1991. Geneva, Musée Barbier-Mueller, Chefs-d’œuvre du musée BarbierMueller, September 1995 – n.d. Munich, Haus der Kunst, Das zweite Gesicht. Afrikanische Masken aus der Sammlung Barbier-Mueller/L’autre visage. Masques africains de la collection Barbier-Mueller, February 7 – April 24,1997; Bielefeld, Kunsthalle Bielefeld, May 15 – August 3, 1997 ; Luxembourg, Banque générale du Luxembourg, September 15 - November 23, 1997 ; Tervuren, Musée royal de l’Afrique centrale, May 29 - September 13, 1998 ; Paris, Mona Bismarck American Center, September 21 - October 28, 1999. New York, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, A Legacy of Collecting. African and Oceanic Art from the Barbier-Mueller Museum, June 2 – September 27, 2009. Crans-Montana, Lens, Fondation Pierre Arnaud, Surréalisme et arts primitifs. Un air de famille, June 15 – October 5, 2014; Paris, Grand Palais, Carambolages, March 2- July 4, 2016. Paris, Grand Palais, Biennale des Antiquaires, Les collections Barbier-Mueller. 110 ans de passion, September 11 – 17, 2017. Geneva, Musée Barbier-Mueller, Arts lointains si proches dans le regard de Silvia Bächli, March 20-October 28, 2018.