Statuette of a Female Figure

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.

Statuette of a Female Figure

Ancient Greek

Early Bronze Age, 2600–2400 BCE

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

Museum

The Art Institute of Chicago

Chicago, United States

Credit Line

Katherine K. Adler Memorial Fund