Images
https://piction.clevelandart.org/cma/ump.di?e=6893C25A5831830198E43EC398DE2D349515786BFF433072D37CD8980125BD13&s=21&se=1644227559&v=5&f=1990.246_o2.jpg
https://piction.clevelandart.org/cma/ump.di?e=6893C25A58318301FE6BEA0D3ED0A850B96EAFF8DC49262ED38BAEA0E696C1F5&s=21&se=1644227559&v=1&f=%5C1990.246det01_o2.jpg
https://piction.clevelandart.org/cma/ump.di?e=6893C25A5831830158F92450E0CD888224E808D85502E14E2D9FAE65444ED5DB&s=21&se=1644227559&v=1&f=%5C1990.246det02_o2.jpg
https://piction.clevelandart.org/cma/ump.di?e=571878664FD5F12F729CEFC71FD8BBA16D8528B04180A16E1A95A963FFADB0BE&s=21&se=1644227559&v=1&f=%5C1990.246det03_o2.jpg
Seated Figure Wearing a Skin
Seated Figure Wearing a Skin
600-1000
Earthenware, slip
Overall: 43.3 x 29.2 x 28.7 cm (17 1/16 x 11 1/2 x 11 5/16 in.)
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. James C. Gruener 1990.246
Download and Share
Description
This type of image-showing a human clothed in a sacrificial victim’s skin, visible around the mouth and wrists-is one of the most awesome created by Mesoamerican artists. The figure represents the deity Xipe Totec or a human impersonator. Among the later Aztecs, Xipe was associated with fertility, rain, and renewal. Perhaps the wearer, upon shedding the skin, was conceived as a sprout emerging from a withered husk. Xipe also had military connections.
Contact us
The information about this object, including provenance information, is based on historic information and may not be currently accurate or complete. Research on objects is an ongoing process, but the information about this object may not reflect the most current information available to CMA. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@clevelandart.org.
To request more information about this object, study images, or bibliography, contact the Ingalls Library Reference Desk.
Is something not working on this page? Please email help.website@clevelandart.org.
Request a digital file from Image Services that is not available through CC0, a detail image, or any image with a color bar. If you have questions about requesting an image, please email imageservices@clevelandart.org.