Mellow Yellow

The original clay figure - unique in the world - is believed to be from the pre-Aztec Teotihuacan culture, and is held by the UNAM (National University) in Mexico City. It still bears traces of the original paint, and the colours are important: the fresh good health of youth (central face) was painted deep red, the maturity of middle age was represented in yellow (second layer), and death was depicted in white. The figure came to London in the major exhibition at the Royal Academy (2002-03).

The ‘figure with three faces’: illustration by Phillip Mursell