The Rain ChildThe Olmecs were the first expanding Mesoamerican society, laying many of the foundations for later civilizations that followed. In addition to the Olmec's impressive socio-cultural advances, artistic advances positioned the culture as a strong force in Mesoamerican history. Olmec artworks are considered among the most striking of ancient America for their high level of stylization and technical advancements. In addition to Olmec artistic advances, the Olmec codified and recorded their gods and religious practices using artistic symbols and glyphs, embodying the characteristics of a highly developed society. Furthermore, each image created served a cultural, personal, or public purpose for members of society. In Seated Bench Figure, a more personal approach to Olmec artistic creation occurs, showing an adult holding a child created in the style of the werejaguar. In the Seated Bench Figure sculpture, a seated figurine is presented with a small infant figure located on its lap. Created during the formative period of the Olmec culture, the statue stands just under five inches tall and three inches wide, eliciting intimacy between the viewer and the figurine. Furthermore, the seated bench figure allows the viewer to consider that both figures are important in Olmec culture due to the relaxed positions of both figures and the use of a precious green stone. The stone from which the sitting bench figure is made, serpentine, was considered a precious divine medium in the Olmec culture. Furthermore, resting positions in the Olmec figurative aesthetic tradition indicate respected, elite, and potentially pious individuals. The seated position of the larger figure on a bench, supporting the infant form, points to both… the center of the card…, indicating a divine presence within the sculptures. In Seated Bench Figure, Olmec stylization and culture are synthesized. This statue reveals a fantastical anthropomorphic creature using iconography that reflects religious meaning. The cultural allegory presented because of the anthropomorphic werejaguar illustrates Olmec beliefs, particularly the rain child. The codification of Olmec society through art showcased the richness of the Olmec aesthetic tradition, allowing viewers to experience Olmec beliefs, social constructs, and craftsmanship. Bibliography Miller, Mary Ellen. The art of Mesoamerica: from the Olmecs to the Aztecs. 4th ed. London: Thames & Hudson, 2001. Miller, Mary Ellen, and Karl A. Taube. The Gods and Symbols of Ancient Mexico and the Maya: An Illustrated Dictionary of Mesoamerican Religion. New York: Thames and Hudson, 1993.