The Marble grave stele of a little girl was found on the island of Paros in 1785, it was then brought to the collection of Sir Richard Worsley in the Appuldurcombe House, located in Isle of Wight, England. In the early 19th century the stele was moved to the collection of the Earls of Yarborough at Brocklesby Park, Lincolnshire, England. The Metropolitan Museum then acquired the work in 1927 with a purchased from the Fourth Earl of Yarborough. The stele represents so much within the MET's collection and was found and sold so long ago it should remain with the rest of the Greek and Roman collection.
The stone relief was found in the Cycladic Islands, where marble was easily accessible. These islands were home to many of the extremely talented sculptures of the Classical period, such as Agorakritos and Skopas. The stele served as a grave marker for a young girl, the girl is depicted in the stele with two doves, possibly her pets, experiencing a moment of love and innocence. She wears a peplos with beautiful drapery, a common dress during the Late Archaic period of Ancient Greece, which pairs well with the illusion of depth throughout the entire piece. The classical period of Greek sculpture is represented through balanced proportions, idealization, and overall beauty. The marble stele is one of the first known memorials for a child in Greek grave markings.
The stone relief was found in the Cycladic Islands, where marble was easily accessible. These islands were home to many of the extremely talented sculptures of the Classical period, such as Agorakritos and Skopas. The stele served as a grave marker for a young girl, the girl is depicted in the stele with two doves, possibly her pets, experiencing a moment of love and innocence. She wears a peplos with beautiful drapery, a common dress during the Late Archaic period of Ancient Greece, which pairs well with the illusion of depth throughout the entire piece. The classical period of Greek sculpture is represented through balanced proportions, idealization, and overall beauty. The marble stele is one of the first known memorials for a child in Greek grave markings.
References
“Marble Grave Stele of a Little Girl.” The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2019, www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/252890. Accessed 8 Dec. 2023.
“The Artist Project: Adam Fuss.” The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Youtube, 7 Dec. 2015, www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAUOBME4wgA&t=14s. Accessed 12 Dec. 2023.
“Marble Grave Stele of a Little Girl.” The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2019, www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/252890. Accessed 8 Dec. 2023.
“The Artist Project: Adam Fuss.” The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Youtube, 7 Dec. 2015, www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAUOBME4wgA&t=14s. Accessed 12 Dec. 2023.