31 Items in this Learning Collection
Collection Object
Collection Object
Collection Object
Collection Object
Collection Object
Collection Object
Collection Object
Collection Object
Collection Object
Collection Object
Collection Object
Collection Object
Collection Object
Collection Object
Collection Object
Collection Object
Collection Object
Collection Object
Collection Object

Copyright
No copyright restrictions ()

Masque Antique

Accession Number
1974/1.124

Title
Masque Antique

Artist(s)
Eugène Atget

Artist Nationality
French (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
1923 - 1924

Medium & Support
gold-toned gelatin silver print on paper

Dimensions
10 in x 13 in (25.4 cm x 33.02 cm)

Credit Line
Museum Purchase

Subject matter
In this photograph of an antique mask hanging on a wall, the open-mouthed face of the figure fills the frame of the image, with strong shadows that emphasize every crevice and curl of hair. Atget framed the mask so closely there is little contextual information to identify or place the object, although the scratched panel on which it hangs and the nail visible on the lower margin suggest it might decorate an interior wall. Atget had an uncanny knack for making the details of every day life seem strange, as here by concentrating attention on the mask's dramatic but illegible expression.

Physical Description
Antique mask with carved curly hair and an open mouth.

Primary Object Classification
Photograph

Collection Area
Photography

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.

Keywords
documentary photography
face
interior decoration
masks
masks (costume)
modern and contemporary art
sculpture
sculpture (visual works)
wall pieces

& Author Notes

All Rights Reserved