Large Veracruz Seated Youth, Remojadas, Classic, circa AD 450 - 650

Jay C. Leff, Uniontown, Pennsylvania, acquired by 1959

Sotheby Parke Bernet, New York, May 12-13, 1983, lot 102, consigned by the above

Private Collection, Massachusetts, acquired at the above auction

Sotheby's, New York, May 26, 1986, lot 159, consigned by the above

Acquired at the above auction

Walter A. Fairservis, Jr, Exotic Art from Ancient and Primitive Civilizations: Collection of Jay C. Leff, Pittsburgh, 1959, p. 71, cat. no. 446

Elizabeth Kennedy Easby, ed., Ancient Art of Latin America from the Collection of Jay C. Leff, New York, 1966, p. 88, cat. no. 396 (listed)

Michael Kan, Pre-Columbian Art of Mesoamerica from the Collection of Jay C. Leff, Allentown, Pennsylvania, 1972, n.p., cat. no. 77

Carnegie Institute, Pittsburgh, Exotic Art from Ancient and Primitive Civilizations: Collection of Jay C. Leff, October 15, 1959 - January 3, 1960

Brooklyn Museum, New York, Ancient Art of Latin America from the Collection of Jay C. Leff, November 22, 1966 - March 5, 1967

Allentown Art Museum, Allentown, Pennsylvania, Pre-Columbian Art of Mesoamerica from the Collection of Jay C. Leff, February 13 - April 2, 1972

The Gulf Coast region of Veracruz was an important cultural center for stone and ceramic art and architecture, from the earliest era of the Olmec Preclassic in 1200 BC through the Post Classic era of the 10th century. Influenced by the powers of Teotihuacan and the Maya region, the art and architecture of the Veracruz region stemmed in large part from the early Olmec foundation. During the Early Classic era of the 5th century, ceramic sculptures of large-scale human figures and deities from the Remojadas region reached a refined level of achievement.

“The sculptors of Remojadas reached their apogee in the life-size clay figures, which are the most splendid accomplishments in this medium in ancient America. […] These artists overcame the restrictions of their material […] to create masterpieces that speak in universal human terms.” (André Emmerich, Art Before Columbus, New York, 1963, pp. 113-114).

The Lazar figure of a youthful man is an engaging and powerful sculpture representing the epitome of this fine Veracruz tradition. Previously in the Jay C. Leff collection, the figure was exhibited in important early shows celebrating ancient Mesoamerica.

The elaborate and heavily adorned sculptures of priest-kings and deities were awe-inspiring and often intimidating figures, but it is the captivating image of a youth, without adornment, that conveys the artistry of the era. This young man is likely part of an early initiation rite, seated in repose yet ready to engage, with hands on his raised knees and projecting a steady and concentrated gaze. It is the careful modeling of the face and particularly the eyes that appear to follow the viewer, which imbue the figure with an uncanny life-like sense. The mouth area is blackened with the tar based chapapote, a typical pigment used for highlighting facial and body areas.

For related figures of the genre, see Hasso von Winning, Pre-Columbian Art of Mexico and Central America, New York, 1968, p. 199, Fig. 254; Henri Stierlin et al., Mexique, terre des dieux. Trésors de l’art précolombien, Geneva, 1998, p. 174, cat. no. 196.