Project Description
This relief sculpture of a head represents the emphasis on naturalism which came to its height during the Classical Era in the Mediterranean region. This piece has realistic human features, such as the striking detail in the eyes that glance right past the direct viewer. The curls that adorn the head and frame the face are standard in Classical Era sculpture portraying both men and women. Thus, the gender and identity of this figure is unknown and up for interpretation by the viewer.
This relief sculpture could have once been attached to a larger sculpture adorning a temple roof or private home. It was gifted to the Berea College Art Collection in 1953 with eight other objects of Ancient Mediterranean origin, including Etruscan and ancient Greek artifacts. There is nothing definitive on record regarding these objects’ origins or their makers, which contributes to the ongoing difficulty in interpreting the exact cultural history for items this old. This mysterious object is one of the oldest artifacts in the College’s permanent art collection and it serves as a representation of ancient Mediterranean art as well as a beacon for further research.
– Veronica Smith, Class of 2023