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Class Name and Date

Art 230: Ancient Art. Fall 2015

Format Type

Sculpture

Time Period

Geometric Greek

Theme

Geometric Grave Markers

Media

Marble

Dimensions

H. 5' 9''

Description

640 BC

The Kore from Delos is an example of a type of kouros or kore sculpture popular during

the Geometric, Orientalizing, and Archaic periods of Greek art. A kore statue is the female

version of a kouros statue, kouros meaning youth. These statues were used as 1 grave markers and

typically stood at roughly life sized. This particular kore is stylistically characteristic of the time,

fitting within the canon. The figure is clearly carved from a rectangular block and the self

contained form and composition of the body are closely controlled by this. This can be seen in

the arms straight down by the side, the columnar legs, and upright stance. These verticals are

accented by the pronounced horizontals at the shoulders, waist, and base which links the piece

back to the previous period, Geometric Greece.2 The frontal and frozen pose with triangular face

and highly stylized and artificial hair are other stylistic features which help to mark it from this

period of Greek art.3 Later pieces will begin to show more of a focus on movement and

naturalism with a keen observation of body composition and how movement affects the body.

Despite the damage to her arms and general wear on her face and hands, identification of

this piece is made easier by an inscription on the side of her skirt which reads: “Nikandre

1 Dr. Sarah Archino. "Archaic Art." Lecture, Art 230 Ancient

Art I, Greenville, November, 2015.

2† John Griffiths Pedley. "The Orientalizing Period." In Greek†Art†and†Archaeology† , 121145.

5th ed. Upper Saddle

River: Pearson, 2012.

3† Dr. Sarah Archino. "Archaic Art." Lecture, Art 230 Ancient

Art I, Greenville, November, 2015.

dedicated me to the Far Darter, the Arrow Shooter, outstanding of women, daughter of

Deinodikes of Naxos, sister of Deinomenes, wife of Phraxos.” This states 4 Nikandre as the

person the statue was created for but leaves in question who the statue might be depicting. The

statue was found near the Temple of Artemis5 and so it could represent Nikandre as a type of

votive offering to the goddess Artemis or a generic figure to fill that same votive role, yet it

could even have been a depiction of Artemis herself. This also begins to call into question the

function of the piece. Is it truly a kore, a gravemarker figure, or was it meant as a votive statue

and named a kore before its true function was discovered. The inscription leaves this up for some

debate. Something interesting to note though is the focus on the male family members as a way

of identifying Nikandre. This both places an attention on family as well as the patriarchal nature

of the society. If the statue is a depiction of Nikandre herself then the inclusion of these names

seems more fitting and seems to point away from the reading of the figure as a generic votive

figure. No matter who is actually being depicted, these men listed would have had significantly

more control in the creation of the statue than Nikandre.6

4 John Griffiths Pedley. "The Orientalizing Period." In Greek†Art†and†Archaeology† , 121145.

5th ed. Upper Saddle

River: Pearson, 2012.

5† John Griffiths Pedley. "The Orientalizing Period." In Greek†Art†and†Archaeology† , 121145.

5th ed. Upper Saddle

River: Pearson, 2012.

6 Nikandre Statue." CCIV 214 Online Museum of Greek Art & Archaeology.

Bibliography

Archino, Sarah, Dr. "Archaic Art." Lecture, Art 230 Ancient

Art I, Greenville, November,

2015.

Griffiths Pedley, John. "The Orientalizing Period." In Greek†Art†and†Archaeology†, 121145.

5th

ed. Upper Saddle River: Pearson, 2012.

"NATIONAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM OF ATHENS OFFICIAL

SITE."

NATIONAL

ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM OF ATHENS OFFICIAL

SITE. Accessed

November 10, 2015.

http://www.namuseum.gr/collections/sculpture/archaic/archaic01en.

html .

"Nikandre Statue." CCIV 214 Online Museum of Greek Art & Archaeology. Accessed

December 7, 2015. http://cciv214fa2012.site.wesleyan.edu/archaicperiod/

exhibit1/

.

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