Two terracotta busts

Greek, Sicilian

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 162

These busts, identified as Persephone or possibly Demeter, depict a goddess wearing a polos (headdress). As is typical of such Sicilian terracottas, they do not represent the figure's arms or breasts, but the face and the hair with its streaming locks and curls are powerfully rendered. Originally, they were adorned with earrings, as indicated by the holes in the ear lobes. They were probably painted and gilded and were presumably set up as votive offerings in sanctuaries.

Two terracotta busts, Terracotta, Greek, Sicilian

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Open Access

As part of the Met's Open Access policy, you can freely copy, modify and distribute this image, even for commercial purposes.

API

Public domain data for this object can also be accessed using the Met's Open Access API.

Two terracotta busts, Terracotta, Greek, Sicilian
Two terracotta busts, Terracotta, Greek, Sicilian
Two terracotta busts, Terracotta, Greek, Sicilian
Two terracotta busts, Terracotta, Greek, Sicilian
Two terracotta busts, Terracotta, Greek, Sicilian
Two terracotta busts, Terracotta, Greek, Sicilian
Two terracotta busts, Terracotta, Greek, Sicilian
Two terracotta busts, Terracotta, Greek, Sicilian
Two terracotta busts, Terracotta, Greek, Sicilian

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.