Juan Horta Castillo Hand-Carved Wooden Folk Art Mask

Item Details

Juan Horta Castillo (Mexican, 1940 – 2006)
Untitled (Folk style double face mask), 20th century
Hand-painted and carved wood with glossy varnish
Signed “Juan” to the verso
Labeled “Tocuaro Michoacan, Mexico” to the verso

A hand-carved and hand-painted wooden mask by prolific Mexican folk artist Juan Horta Castillo (1940 – 2006). The mask depicts a two-faced human, one with a long black goatee and one with a limp pink tongue hanging from its mouth. A pair of lizards crawl across the figures’ foreheads, carved in stunning relief. The entire mask is hand-painted and coated in a glossy varnish. A short string for hanging is attached to the verso. The mask is signed simply ‘Juan’ to the verso, but this exact mask is photographed on the artist’s website. The piece is also labeled ‘TOCUARO MICHOACAN, MEXICO’ to the verso. Castillo was one of the most prolific artists to create masks in the traditional Mexican folk style. His work has been extensively exhibited, including at prolific institutions such as the Art Institue of Chicago and the Field Museum of National History in Chicago. His work has been continued by his family following the artist’s passing. More information about the artist is included.

Dimensions

Item #

17CIN015-314