This is a depiction of a male nude posed
kneeling with arms bound behind him at the
wrists. Surely a captive of war, he sits
subjugated but not robbed of his strength or
spirit. We are witness to the tension and vitality
evident in his taut body, his hands clenched into
fists, and while we no longer have the head and
its position to offer facial expression, the body
speaks volumes. Its expressive body, however,
helps us to envision the face of the captive, to
use our creative imagination. Perhaps the
expression was of pain or of submission or of
undying pride of a warrior. Although the exact
information has been lost, the earthy figure hints
us of the history and art works of ancient Mali.
- (PF.3526)
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