Olmec Sculpture of a Standing Man - PF.0937, Origin: Xochipala, Mexico, Circa: 900 BC to 500 BC, Dimensions: 4" (10.2cm) high, Catalogue: V11, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Olmec, Medium: Terracotta. The Olmecs were the first great civilization of the New World, with an empire that stretched throughout Mexico and Central America. Much of Olmec culture remains shrouded in mystery, a puzzle yet to be deciphered. There is a haunting ambiguity about Olmec art; it appears to operate on many different levels of meaning. This superb little sculpture epitomizes much of that mystery. It depicts a figure that seems part human, part animal, neither old nor young, and neither male nor female. Does this reflect reality or imagination? In the presence of this hypnotic figure, we realize that not everything in life follows a logical pattern.

Antiquities
Ancient Central America & Mexico