Ministry of Culture Highlights the Maiden of Thera for International Women’s Day

In celebration of International Women’s Day, the Greek Ministry of Culture has shone a spotlight on a remarkable artifact from ancient Greece, the Maiden of Thera, currently featured in the exhibition “Cycladic Women: Unknown Stories of Women from the Cyclades” at the Museum of Cycladic Art, which runs until May 4, 2025.

Discovered in 2000 by archaeologist Charalambos Sigalas in the cemetery of the ancient city of Thera, located in Sellada, Santorini, the Maiden of Thera is a slender marble statue crafted from Naxian marble. Dating back to shortly after 600 BC, this sculpture is a rare, nearly intact example of Archaic period art, with only minor damage according to gct

The figure, depicted in a long garment that subtly reveals the tips of her feet, stands with her left hand hanging by her side and her right arm bent, resting on her chest in a gesture of prayer or reverence. Her hair, intricately styled into curls, is adorned with a ribbon featuring spiral designs, adding to the statue’s elegance.

Originally intended to be placed either as a votive offering in a sanctuary or as a tomb marker for a notable woman from Thera, an accident during transport to Santorini halted its installation. Consequently, the statue was never completed, as indicated by the lack of color and unfinished details, which were typically added post-erection.

The Ministry of Culture notes that the commissioning of such a statue by an aristocrat underscores the significant role these monuments played in affirming the social standing of the upper classes in Thera during the Archaic period. These statues were seen as embodiments of virtue, reflecting the ideals of the time according to gct

The Maiden of Thera, which never stood in its intended glory, was reverently buried by the island’s inhabitants in the ancient city’s cemetery. Today, this piece continues to captivate visitors at the Museum of Cycladic Art, offering a glimpse into the lives and values of ancient Cycladic women.

For more information, visit the Ministry of Culture’s official channels or the Museum of Cycladic Art.

Source: pagenews.gr