Marble head of a Ptolemaic queen

ca. 270–250 BCE

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 162

Acquired in Egypt by George Baldwin, British Consul-General 1785–96

This monumental head gives an impression of sovereign calm and power, even though the veil that once covered the top and back of the head is now missing. Although the features are cast in a thoroughly classical style typical of the late fourth century B.C., the face is stamped with enough individuality to identify it as a portrait. In all probability, it represents a member of the Ptolemaic dynasty, that succession of Macedonian Greeks who ruled Egypt from the death of Alexander the Great in 323 B.C. until the annexation of Egypt by Rome and the suicide of Cleopatra VII in 30 B.C. Most recently, the head has been identified as Arsinoe II, who ruled together with her brother, Ptolemy II, from 278 B.C. until her death in 270 B.C. Not only was the queen part of a dynastic ruler cult during her life, she was also transformed into an independent deity by her brother after her death. She was worshiped as an Egyptian goddess in association with Isis and also separately as a Greek goddess, with her own sanctuaries and festivals. This strongly idealized head, which resembles classical images of Hera and Demeter, was probably associated with the latter cult.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

References

Title: Marble head of a Ptolemaic queen
Period: Hellenistic
Date: ca. 270–250 BCE
Culture: Greek
Medium: Marble
Dimensions: H. 15 in. (38.1 cm)
Classification: Stone Sculpture
Credit Line: Purchase, Lila Acheson Wallace Gift, The Bothmer Purchase Fund, Malcolm Hewitt Wiener, The Concordia Foundation and Christos G. Bastis Gifts and Marguerite and Frank A. Cosgrove Jr. Fund, 2002
Object Number: 2002.66
Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art

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