Head of a Male Figure
Unknown Artist
5th century
Medium
Terracotta
Dimensions
H. 3 1/2 in. (8.9 cm)
Classification
Sculpture
Culture & Period
India (probably Uttar Pradesh) · Gupta period
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Sherry and Lawrence Phillips, 1991
Accession Number
1991.457.1
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite terracotta *Head of a Male Figure from 5th-century India, likely crafted in Uttar Pradesh during the Gupta period, captures the refined artistry of one of ancient India's golden ages. The Gupta era (c. 320–550 CE), often called India's classical age, saw a surge in sculptural innovation, blending spiritual devotion with naturalistic beauty. Sculptors drew from regional traditions like those of Mathura, producing serene, idealized faces that embodied divine harmony—hallmarks of Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain iconography. Fashioned from terracotta, a versatile fired clay medium prized...