When Christopher Columbus discovered Costa
Rica in 1502, he found a "High land, with many
rivers and full of tall trees." The Spanish admired
the natives, their intriguing customs and
splendid works of art, including their
extraordinary stonework. A prime example of
that stone artistry can be seen in this rendering
of a female figure, sculpted from a single piece
of volcanic stone. Standing before us, she
addresses the world through a spirited face filled
with an expression of transcendent serenity. At
the same time each of her hands softly cups a
shapely breast, focusing our rapt attention on
her female attributes, the characteristics that
symbolize fertility and sexuality. Perhaps this
female figure represented to the Ancient Costa
Ricans the eternal mother Goddess, source of life
and perpetual renewal. Whatever her previous
function, the spirited presence of this powerful
female figure continues to captivate us, her
eternal powers forever satisfying.
- (PF.2615)
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