#4 Cycladic Figurine of a Woman

Greek (Cycladic) 2400 BC
Marble
14.75 x 4.25 x 1.5 in.
(37.47 cm. x 10.80 cm.)
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
(GO SEE THIS IN PERSON!)






















READ AND VIEW THE INFORMATION PRESENTED BELOW (take notes from each source):

"Figurines of this type, from the Cyclades islands in the Aegean Sea, have been found almost exclusively in tombs. Although it was first believed that these so-called "idols" represent deities, they probably should be interpreted more broadly as representations of "femaleness." The geometric shapes, the position of the arms across the abdomen, and the close-set legs with dangling feet are distinctive and may appear strikingly modern to the viewer today. This example represents the high point of Cycladic figurine carving, when the form had become extremely elegant."   (From http://art.thewalters.org/detail/31097/cycladic-female-figurine/:)

• The Human Form in Cycladic Art

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AFTER CAREFULLY REVIEWING THE RESOURCES ASSIGNED ABOVE: Answer the following questions completely and with specificity to the provided resources, personal reflection, and additional research as needed:

1. Explain the physical similarities and differences between this sculpture and the Woman of Willendorf.
2. What are some of the possible reasons that these sculptures were created?
3. What differences exist between the male and female versions of Cycladic sculptures?

CURIOUS? Here's some more information: