When I met the model, Rodolfo, at a party, I was struck by several things. First of all, there was his undeniable beauty. He was a native of Peru, and that gave him an exotic air. I had never known anyone from Peru. His speech, in flawless English, was low and melodic, and he moved like a cat.
The combination was too much, and I did what I virtually never do - I asked a perfect stranger to pose for me. He agreed, and we have done several successful shoots.
But there was something else. I had the strangest feeling that I had seen him before. The almond eyes, the arched brows, the sensuous mouth and tawny skin - I knew them, but from where - and when?
I put the feeling aside and began to shoot, but it would be some time later before it finally hit me. I knew that face.
The golden funerary mask of Tutankhamen.
I was actually privileged to see the mask itself when it toured the U.S. back in the '70's. It is as breathtaking as it looks, and a sight I shall never forget. I never expected to meet the original.
The image below was not taken specifically for the mask. It was a casual bathing suit shot. I added eye make-up in Photoshop, and superimposed the headdress, necklace and beard from the original. I painted on the bracelets.
I present it here in honor of the new Tut Exhibition currently touring, which opened at the Museum of Fine Arts here in Houston last week. You be the judge.
