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Testa di donna, probabilmente una sfinge

1st quarter of the 5th century BCE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 157
Poiché in Grecia calcare e marmo erano facilmente reperibili, la terracotta (argilla cotta ad altissime temperature) non veniva usata spesso per sculture di grandi dimensioni. Le proporzioni e la frattura all’altezza del collo suggeriscono che questa testa di rara bellezza appartenesse a una sfinge e forse faceva parte delle decorazioni del tetto di un edificio di piccole dimensioni. Le sfingi normalmente avevano il ruolo di guardiani, soprattutto nei monumenti funebri, come si può vedere nella stupefacente stele funeraria dell’Attica. Da notare in particolare gli effetti della policromia che esalta dettagli come gli orecchini e il cerchietto tra i capelli.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Titolo: Testa di donna, probabilmente una sfinge
  • Data: Primo quarto del V secolo a.C.
  • Cultura: Grecia
  • Materiale e tecnica: Terracotta
  • Dimensioni: Alt. 20,6 cm
  • Crediti: Rogers Fund, 1947
  • Numero d'inventario: 47.100.3
  • Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art

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