Marble Sculpture of a Greek Woman in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Feb. 2007

Statue of a woman, second half of 4th century B.C.
Greek
Marble; H. 68 1/8 in. (173.02 cm)
Gift of Mrs. Frederick F. Thompson, 1903 (03.12.17)

The particularly lively and varied rendering of fabrics in this marble statue suggests that it is a Greek original, rather than a Roman copy. The artist has carefully differentiated the crinkled linen of the chiton and the heavier wool of the himation, adding horizontal press folds to the surface of the woolen cloak. Belted high above the waist, the upper part of the chiton is firmly held in place by a cord slipped over the arms and crossed in the back.

This type of harnessing of the chiton sleeves is often associated with Artemis, goddess of the hunt. However, the substantial, slightly matronly physique of this marble statue suggests that it may represent Themis, a goddess originally identified with Gaea, but later associated with custom, law, and justice. Themis, once possessor of the Delphic Oracle, was believed to know the future, including secrets of which even Zeus was ignorant.

Text from: www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/god4/hod_03.12.17.htm