In this painting by Orduña, a figure of
a Mexican indigenous is present. The use of color and technique used by Orduña
on the man makes it clear that it represents an indigenous figure. The clothing
of the man is a traditional outfit that Mexicans would wear back in colonial
times, meaning that this figure is from the past. The background of the
painting, where the man is seating has aspects of a tomb and by looking at all
of the masks around him it seems that he had dug and found all of these. The
indigenous man is surrounded by all different kinds of masks that he had found
all of these buried treasures from past ancestors. In an in interview with the
artist, Orduña mentioned that ‘in the history of Mexico masks have had a
preponderance ritual and spiritual symbolism’(Mexican Culture in
His Artwork). Masks also included myth and religion
that in early times people and Gods were used as representations, but also
considering life and death. Mexican masks nowadays have a magical, satirical,
erotic, warlike, and didactical meaning (Mascaras
Mexicanas). In ancient civilizations masks were used mainly in rituals
of high significance. Some of the masks displayed in the painting have great
meaning in Mexican culture. However the two masks that the man is holding are
considered the most important due to the background history it has for both
past and present Mexicans. The one he is using to cover his identity is a
jaguar mask.
Priscilla Schiaffino
