Description
Cycladic sculpture is characterized by the abstract treatment of the human form. The vast majority of the white marble statuettes depict pregnant females, suggesting an association with fertility or regenerative forces. Although they are admired today for their stark simplicity, these statuettes once had hair, eyes, jewelry, or other ornaments added in red, blue, and black pigment, which has since faded.
Provenance
Unknown private collection, London, by about 1947 [according to letter in curatorial file]; sold to B.C. Holland of Objects Inc., Chicago, by June 5, 1978 [receipt no. 36220 in curatorial file]; sold to the Art Institute of Chicago, 1978.
Accession Number
52201
Medium
Marble
Dimensions
39.9 × 11.6 × 4.9 cm (15 11/16 × 4 9/16 × 1 15/16 in.)
Classification
statuette
Credit Line
Katherine K. Adler Memorial Fund