<em>Head of Youth</em>, 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)

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)

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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.

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Head of Youth

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

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.

MEDIUM Marble

Possible Place Collected: Alexandria, Egypt

DATES 2nd century B.C.E. (possibly)

PERIOD Ptolemaic Period

DIMENSIONS Height: 6 1/8 in. (15.5 cm) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 63.184

CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Marble head of a youth, idealizing style, suggestive of work of Lysippus. Hair arranged in conventionalized curls. Frontal short mouth. Preserved to base of neck. Fine work. Condition: Chin chipped. One area of hair (at back) chipped.

EXHIBITIONS

Egypt Reborn: Art for Eternity

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view

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)

IMAGE overall, CUR.63.184_view01.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2021

"CUR" at the beginning of an image file name means that the image was created by a curatorial staff member. These study images may be digital point-and-shoot photographs, when we don\'t yet have high-quality studio photography, or they may be scans of older negatives, slides, or photographic prints, providing historical documentation of the object.

RIGHTS STATEMENT 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.

RECORD COMPLETENESS

Not every record you will find here is complete. More information is available for some works than for others, and some entries have been updated more recently. Records are frequently reviewed and revised, and we welcome any additional information you might have.

Download our app and ask your own questions during your visit. Here are some that others have asked.

Why is this here?

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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Head of Youth

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

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Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

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