Head of a Youth from a Marble Grave Stele in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, April 2011

Head of a youth from a marble stele (grave marker)

Period: Archaic

Date: ca. 525 B.C.

Culture: Greek, Attic

Medium: Marble, Parian

Dimensions: Overall: 10 1/4 x 15 1/2 in. (26 x 39.4 cm); thickness at top 15 1/4 in. (38.7 cm); thickness at bottom 15 7/16 in. (39.3 cm)

Classification: Stone Sculpture

Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1942

Accession Number: 42.11.36

Description:

A precise identification of the youth—as an athlete, for instance—is impeded by the lack of attributes. A band circles his head, and crisp curls fringe his face and the nape of his neck. The smooth crown of the head is less likely to represent a cap than to indicate that paint was used for hair.

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