91 - Mask; Africa, 20th century.

Mask; Africa, 20th century. Wood and natural fibers. Measurements: 42 x 30 x 18 cm. Provenance: Estate of Ramon Martí Alsina and Ricard Martí Aguiló. Artistic and heritage collection originating in the legacy of Catalan painters Ramon Martí Alsina (1826–1894), a seminal figure of 19th-century Catalan Realism, and his son Ricard Martí Aguiló (1857–1935). Passed down and enriched across successive generations, the collection brings together works from the original holdings of both artists alongside acquisitions made by their descendants. Dedicated to preserving and recovering the family legacy, the descendants actively reacquired works by the painters as they entered the market, progressively expanding the collection to encompass paintings, sculptures, archaeological artifacts, and other items of artistic and historical significance. A ritual mask, crafted from wood and embellished with plant fibers, cords, teeth, and a worn-looking textile headdress. The combination of materials and the expressive power of its design evoke the sculptural traditions of West Africa, particularly those of the Wé (Guéré) and Dan peoples, who are settled in Ivory Coast and neighboring regions. These masks play a prominent role in community ceremonies and practices, in which the attire and added elements help accentuate their symbolic presence.