You know that feeling when you look at a photo of your childhood self and think: “Wow, I look so young and happy?” If you’re a 90s kid like me, that’s usually a printed photo from your mom’s old family album, faded from the passage of time and carrying a scrawled date on the back.
That same sensation struck me when I saw Ethaliris’ artwork entitled “Bremen Mask”. And whether that was intentional or not, it’s a fitting feeling because it captures a central theme of the game. It tells a bittersweet tale of youth and innocence.
Ethaliris’ piece at first glance is a simple watercolor painting, and a cute recreation of an iconic side-quest in Majora’s Mask. But make no mistake, the choice of medium, composition, and color palette are all exquisite. Once I started deep diving into these watercolors, I discovered a poignant story within their depths.
First things first, the various shades of watercolors are visually striking and make the environment pop, without weighing the piece down with too much detail. In doing so, a sense of simplicity coats the piece, not unlike the simplicity of a child’s classroom painting which they proudly present to a parent once they get home. But here, of course, the work is far more meticulous. Nevertheless, it lends itself perfectly to the overarching theme of youth.
With the wonderful watercolors, Link’s iconic green tunic and golden locks come to life, and cleverly match the colors of the lush grass and cute little Cucco Chicks, who I imagine hopping and chirping around Link. This pairing of colors instantly connects Link to all the nature and young life surrounding him. There’s also the connection to Tatl the fairy, of course, the ultimate symbol of eternal youth, given that fairies are essential companions of the never-aging Kokiri. Plus, with Link sitting content in front of the brightly-painted fences that fully fill the background, it’s almost as if he’s being protected from the outside world. Protected from the burdens of his journey that are far too great for a child to bear.
In this portrait, he looks so peaceful and happy, like an old childhood photo. It’s a photo I imagine being taken in those moments between Link running around with all the chicks and chatting with the “funny, spiky-haired man,” as a kid might describe Grog. I see a child and all the other clear symbols of youth (the Cucco Chicks). I see a snapshot of innocence.
And then, I see the incredible parallel between Link’s journey and the Bremen Mask.
I see a moment of youthful peace, right before the rapid loss of that very youth.
The theme of youth (or, more specifically, loss of youth), is inseparable from Majora’s Mask and our hero, Link. He sacrifices either a part of, or his entire childhood during the events of Ocarina of Time and Majora’s Mask. Meanwhile, the Bremen Mask forcibly ages the Cucco Chicks into adult Cuccos. It’s quite tragic when you think about it.
So, while this piece is, on the surface, a heartwarming snapshot of Link and the Cucco Chicks of Romani Ranch, a bitterness comes along with the sweet. It brings a reminder that the time spent by Link and his fluffy yellow friends frolicking among nature must, unfortunately, soon come to an end.
