Imbued with an ominous foreboding accentuated by its dark tonality, Masquerade is a classic example of Adolph Gottlieb’s pictographic style. Mysterious faces emerge from the depth of the painting as if recalled from a dream. Gottlieb reinforced this work—ostensibly a display of African masks—with earthy hues and textures. At the same time, his title directs attention to the use of masks throughout history and across cultures to act out ancient myths and rituals.