The Timeline of Art History   The Metropolitan Museum of Art
World MapsTimelines / RegionsThematic EssaysWorks of ArtIndex  
Woman Wearing a Tunic, 4th–5th century; Early Byzantine
Egyptian; Probably Eshmunein
Plaster terracotta; H. 15 1/16 in. (38.3 cm), base 4 3/4 x 3 7/8 in. (12 x 9.8 cm)
Gift of Maurice Nahman, 1912 (12.185.4)

This terracotta statue was originally gaily painted in red, black, yellow, and white. It came from an Egyptian tomb, probably a Christian one, as the woman depicted wears a small cross. The actual modeling of the piece is very simple, as artists of this time and place preferred to directly paint on aspects such as shadows and folds of drapery, rather than model or carve them. This woman's two-piece garment has been marked out in this way: the lighter over-robe has been painted on in gray, while the heavier under-robe conforms to the generalized shape of her body, and is painted to appear embroidered. The bottom of the statue is directly attached to the base; a heavy black line is the only indication of a break or shadow.


Open full-size image



  • Related Timeline(s)


    MoveSeparatorPrint
    Close
    Woman Wearing a Tunic, 4th–5th century; Early Byzantine
    Egyptian; Probably Eshmunein
    Plaster terracotta; H. 15 1/16 in. (38.3 cm), base 4 3/4 x 3 7/8 in. (12 x 9.8 cm)
    Gift of Maurice Nahman, 1912 (12.185.4)