Head of Youth
1 of 16
Object Label
Made by a Greek sculptor in the Egyptian capital of Alexandria, this head reveals characteristics of both Greek and Egyptian art. It has "macaroni-curl" Greek hair and was created in marble, a material favored by Greek artists. The eyes, however, are shaped like those of Egyptian-style works.
All the sculptures in this case are roughly contemporary, demonstrating the use of both Egyptian and Greek styles in second-century Alexandria.
Caption
Head of Youth, 2nd century B.C.E. (possibly). Marble, Height: 6 1/8 in. (15.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 63.184. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.63.184_view01.jpg)
Gallery
Not on view
Gallery
Not on view
Title
Head of Youth
Date
2nd century B.C.E. (possibly)
Period
Ptolemaic Period
Geography
Possible place collected: Alexandria, Egypt
Medium
Marble
Classification
Dimensions
Height: 6 1/8 in. (15.5 cm)
Credit Line
Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
Accession Number
63.184
Rights
Creative Commons-BY
You may download and use Brooklyn Museum images of this three-dimensional work in accordance with a Creative Commons license. Fair use, as understood under the United States Copyright Act, may also apply. Please include caption information from this page and credit the Brooklyn Museum. If you need a high resolution file, please fill out our online application form (charges apply). For further information about copyright, we recommend resources at the United States Library of Congress, Cornell University, Copyright and Cultural Institutions: Guidelines for U.S. Libraries, Archives, and Museums, and Copyright Watch. For more information about the Museum's rights project, including how rights types are assigned, please see our blog posts on copyright. If you have any information regarding this work and rights to it, please contact copyright@brooklynmuseum.org.
Frequent Art Questions
Why is this here?
This was made during the Ptolemaic Period when Egypt was part of the Hellenistic (Greek) world. This sculpture incorporates traits of both artistic styles. The eye shape is especially Egyptian and both Ancient Egyptians and Hellenistic people idealized youth.The hair looks Greek too.Yes, very true! During the Hellenistic period, artists incorporated established forms from both Egyptian and Greek cultures into their work.It’s this a Greek sculpture?
This head was sculpted in Egypt, but it was made by a Greek artist. After Alexander the Great took over Egypt, one of his generals, Ptolemy, started a new Dynasty of Greek kings of Egypt.Life remained similar for most Egyptians, but new Greek communities did form in Egypt. The largest and most influential Greek community was at Alexandria where this head was made.Thanks
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