Aphrodite torso (after Praxiteles)

2nd century B.C.

Through much of Greek art history-from the abstract grave or cult carvings of the Cyclades to the generalized portraits of Hellenistic Egypt-the Greeks usually depicted women as ideals of beauty and grace, external beauty symbolizing internal beauty. More than any other artist, the Greek Hellenistic sculptor Praxiteles influenced this practice-his nude Aphrodite was both interpreted and copied thousands of times.

Marble

13 1/16 x 5 1/4 x 4 3/8 in. (33.1 x 13.4 x 11.1 cm)

Norman and Amelia Davis Classical Collection

61.74

Provenance: (Possibly from El- Manshah); [Maguid Sameda, Cairo, Egypt, by 1943 or 1944]; (purchased from Mr. Sameda, probably by Norman Davis); gift of Norman and Amelia Davis Classical Collection to Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, Washington, March 13, 1961

Now on view at the Seattle Art Museum

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