(Pre)figuring Physiognomy: Mask Making as an Interpretive Art among Romanian Artisans in Moldova

The present text is intended to explore the creativity of mask-makers in Romania, in what particularly refers to their knowledge of envisioning the figures of their art galleries. Indeed, to an important extent, mask making consists of reproducing human facial traits as somewhat “foreshadowed” by artisans. Based on the author’ ethnographic information from the 2000s, our article will approach mask making in several areas of Moldavia (Neamţ, Suceava, Vrancea), with particular emphasis on local mask-makers’ interpretation of social and self-portraits and their cultural “mission”.