ticketsMember | Make a donation

Marble statue of a woman

2nd half of the 4th century BCE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 153
The lively, varied manner in which the texture of the clothing is rendered suggests that this is a Greek original rather than a Roman copy. The crinkly linen of the chiton and the heavier wool of the himation (cloak) are carefully differentiated, and horizontal press folds add variety to the latter's surface. The drilled holes on the sleeves once held metal buttons. The upper part of the chiton is kept firmly in place by a cord that is crossed in back and slipped over the arms. This over-life size figure probably represents a goddess, and in the absence of other attributes, the shoulder cord may offer a clue to her identity. Although the huntress Artemis is often shown with such a cord, this more matronly figure may represent Themis, a goddess associated with custom and law. The head and neck were carved separately and provided with a rounded tenon that was set into the cavity at the top of the torso.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Marble statue of a woman
  • Period: Late Classical
  • Date: 2nd half of the 4th century BCE
  • Culture: Greek
  • Medium: Marble
  • Dimensions: Overall (H. w/ plinth): 68 1/8 in. (173 cm)
    H. (H. without plinth): 66 1/8 in. (168 cm)
  • Classification: Stone Sculpture
  • Credit Line: Gift of Mrs. Frederick F. Thompson, 1903
  • Object Number: 03.12.17
  • Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art

Audio

Cover Image for 1055. Marble statue of a woman, Part 1

1055. Marble statue of a woman, Part 1

0:00
0:00
We're sorry, the transcript for this audio track is not available at this time. Please email info@metmuseum.org to request a transcript for this track.

    Listen to more about this artwork

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Marble statue of a kore (maiden), Marble, Island, Greek
Marble statue of a kore (maiden)
Greek
late 6th century BCE
Marble statue of a lion, Marble, Parian 2, Greek
Marble statue of a lion
Greek
ca. 400–390 BCE
Marble statue of a kouros (youth), Marble, Naxian, Greek, Attic
Marble statue of a kouros (youth)
Greek, Attic
ca. 590–580 BCE
Marble head of a goddess, Marble, Greek
Marble head of a goddess
Greek
4th century BCE
Marble akroterion, Marble, Greek, Attic
Marble akroterion
Greek, Attic
ca. 350–325 BCE

Related Content

Timeline of Art History

Entries from The Met's art encyclopedia.

Showing 4 of 9

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.