Terracotta statuette of an old nurse holding a child

last quarter of 4th century BCE

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 164

Figurines of seated and standing nurses with babies became popular in the fourth century B.C. This specific type is a later one and reflects the interest in realism in the Early Hellenistic period. Its invention was probably due to the influence of the so-called New Comedy that began in Athens at this time and in which the child-holding nurse was a common character.

Artwork Details

Overview

References

Title: Terracotta statuette of an old nurse holding a child
Period: Hellenistic
Date: last quarter of 4th century BCE
Culture: Greek, Attic or Boeotian
Medium: Terracotta
Dimensions: H. 5 3/8 in. (13.7 cm)
Classification: Terracottas
Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1910
Object Number: 10.210.38
Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art

More Artwork

In the same gallery

In the same medium

From the same time and place

A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.

Terracotta statuette of a woman, Terracotta, Greek, perhaps from Asia Minor — Terracotta statuette of a woman
Greek, perhaps from Asia Minor
2nd century BCE

Terracotta statuette of a woman looking into a box mirror, Terracotta, Greek, probably West Greek, possibly Centuripe — Terracotta statuette of a woman looking into a box mirror
Greek, probably West Greek, possibly Centuripe
3rd–2nd century BCE

Bronze statuette of a rider wearing an elephant skin, Bronze, Greek — Bronze statuette of a rider wearing an elephant skin
Greek
3rd century BCE

Bronze diskos thrower, Bronze, Greek — Bronze diskos thrower
Greek
ca. 480–460 BCE

Bronze statuette of a horse, Bronze, Greek — Bronze statuette of a horse
Greek
late 2nd–1st century BCE

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.