Utterly charming in its compositional rendering
and spirited emotions, this clay mother-and-
children grouping represents one of the most
exciting Pre-Columbian art styles of Ancient
Mexico. Created by an artisan of the pacific
coast of Mexico, an area that lies in the shadow
of the 13,000-foot-high volcano, "Colima," this
sculpture reveals not only a culture's deep
warmth and sensitivity to the human condition
but also an acute awareness of complex design
concepts. In this extraordinary sculpture a large
number of children of varying sizes cluster
around a seated mother, whose arms appear not
only to embrace each child but the entire
Universe as well. Adding to the composition's
wonderful sense of balance and proportion, a
large child rides "piggy-back" upon the
shoulders of the mother, the child's hands
grasping the mother's ears. If we look closely
and listen carefully, we can almost see the
kinetic movement of little arms and legs and hear
the sounds of a dozen or more giggling children,
as they enjoy the love of their mother and the
friendship of each other.
- (PF.2422)
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