A Grebo mask

Estimated price  500 - 600 €

A Grebo mask, Ivory Coast, Sassandra region. Incl. stand.

Grebo masks from the Ivory Coast are renowned for their striking geometric designs and profound cultural significance. These masks, often characterized by tubular eyes and abstract facial features, played pivotal roles in both ceremonial practices and the evolution of modern art. Sothebys.com

One notable example is the Stanoff mask, which exemplifies the Grebo's unique aesthetic. William Rubin, former Director of Painting and Sculpture at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, observed:
"Grebo masks have a particular interest for the historian of modern art. It is one of the few cases where we know that the contemplation of a tribal object directly influenced a major modern artist in a way that the artist himself was conscious of and spoke about... The notion of the eye as a cylinder is what interested Picasso."

This influence is evident in Picasso's 1912 sculpture Guitar, widely regarded as the first Cubist sculpture, which drew inspiration from the structural elements of Grebo masks.

Beyond their artistic impact, Grebo masks held significant cultural and spiritual roles. They were used in ceremonies to mediate between the physical and metaphysical realms, symbolizing the connection between humans and the divine. The application of white clay (kaolin) during these rituals signified contact with the spiritual world.
In summary, Grebo masks are not only masterpieces of African art but also bridges between cultures and epochs, influencing modern artistic movements and embodying the spiritual beliefs of the Grebo people.

Galerie Wolfgang Jaenicke, Sothby's

wj

Price on request.

Height: 38 cm / 55 cm incl. stand
Weight: 2 kg incl. stand