Phrasikleia Kore

National Archeological Museum, Athens, Greece

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Material: Parian marble
Date range: 550-540 BC
Origin: Merenda (ancient Myrrhinous), Attica

This statue was found in a grave and served as a memorial for a young woman named Phrasikleia. In Greek religion, such statues were meant to preserve the beauty and youth of the dead forever. The lotus bud she holds is a religious symbol often linked to the idea of life and blooming.

The Kore wears a crown and jewelry, which show her high social status and respect for the divine. Sculptors used these details to make the statue look like a perfect offering to the gods or a noble memory of the deceased. The patterns on her dress, like the rosettes and stars, were carefully carved to honor her spirit.

The sculptor Aristion from Paros made this work during a time when Greek art was becoming more detailed. By showing the woman in her finest clothes, the family ensured she would be seen with grace and modesty in the eyes of both people and the gods. This statue is one of the most important examples of this religious style of art.

Museum label reference:

4889. Statue of a kore. Parian marble.

Found in Merenda (ancient Myrrhinous), Attica. The fully preserved statue stood atop the grave of Phrasikleia, as is indicated by the inscription on the pedestal. The expression of the face and the rendering of garment that follows the curves of the body underneath are remarkable. The chiton retains in many places its painted decoration with rosettes, swastikas, stars and meanders. An extraordinary work, one of the most important of the ripe Archaic style. Made by the sculptor Aristion from Paros. 550–540 B.C.

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A marble statue of a young woman wearing a decorated robe and jewelry

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