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established 1942 |
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| GREEK MARBLE HEAD OF A KORE Reminiscent of the Cheramyes-Geneleos Group, with austere gaze, centered hair part, and pronounced ear. See: G.M.Richter, Korai: Archaic Greek Maidens, 1968, figs 183-262. Ex private French collection. 3rd quarter of the 6th Century BC H. 5 1/4 in. (13.5 cm.) Art of the Ancient World, 2007, no. 3 PBPS05 $85,000 Sales |
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| A great deal of Kore statues have been unearthed at the acropolis, most dating back to the beginning of the 6th Century BC. In fact the Acropolis collection tends to monopolize the Kore discourse because of the large number and breadth of stylistic variety that have been unearthed at this site. By definition, Kore (maiden) refers to statues depicting female figures, always of a young age, which were created during the Archaic period (600–480 BC) either as votive or commemorative statues. Wealthy patrons commissioned them either to serve the deities in place of the patron, or as less often was the case, to become commemorative grave markers for members of a family. Many times their base (and sometimes on their dress) was inscribed with a short paragraph documenting the statue’s function, the patron, and the artist. According to the most accepted interpretations of the archaeological evidence, Kore statues never represented deities. Kore statues are the female equivalent of Kouros statues. There are several distinct differences between the two, with the most significant one being the fact that Kouros statues were almost always portrayed in the nude, while Kore were always clothed. Consequently, when studying the statues, we tend to focus on the development of anatomy in Kouros, and on the development of the dress for the Kore along with the facial expression. Most of the Kore statues are either life-size or a little smaller, and were developed with the same techniques and proportional conventions as the Kouros equivalents of the same era. With Kore statues, the human anatomy is acknowledged under the clothes but it is not emphasized. Instead, the lines of the drapery form smooth shapes that flow with ease creating a serene, almost hypnotic aura, which is duly complemented by the usual peaceful facial expression and the relative motionless body. |
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