Standing Emotional Man | Harvard Art Museums

Identification and Creation

Object Number: 1926.21.8
Title: Standing Emotional Man
Classification: Sculpture
Work Type: statuette, sculpture
Date: 3rd century BCE or later
Period: Hellenistic period
Culture: Greek
Persistent Link: https://hvrd.art/o/291949

Physical Descriptions

Medium: Terracotta
Technique: Mold-made
Dimensions: 14 × 6.3 cm (5 1/2 × 2 1/2 in.)

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line: Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Percy S. Straus
Accession Year: 1926
Object Number: 1926.21.8
Division: Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact: am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
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Descriptions

Description: Complete figurine; good condition.

A semi-nude man in the process of standing up. The head is overlarge, and seemingly out of proportion with the body. The legs, by contrast, seem short; perhaps a dwarf. Voluminous, wavy hair held back from the forehead by a very narrow diadem with small fruit or other ornament at the side. Thick, furrowed brows are raised up diagonally and meet at the middle of the forehead. Deep-set eyes, high, prominent cheeks, broad nose, and open mouth. Mustache and short, trimmed beard. The head is cocked to the right and tilted down. Overall expression is pained.

The body is less defined, and bare down to the waist. Round shoulders, small upper torso, and a large belly with large, rounded bellybutton. Left arm proper rests on a chair or throne; the right arm pulls at a short tunic worn at the hips but does not expose the phallus. Right leg steps forward, with the left slightly back. The result is quite dynamic and gives the impression that the man is pushing off from his seat (a chair with low, plain, squared back, and curved sides). Ground is indicated around the feet, creating an oval base that is continuous with the figure and chair.

Would have been painted originally. Small traces of white ground and red pigment extant.

Hollow, with oval, open bottom. Mold-made in a bivalve mold, likely plaster. Perhaps separate molds for head and body. Minimal modeling at the back. The figurine stands well on its own, but depending on display height, the face looks down and is obscured. The face is revealed when the figurine is held and turned around.

Maroon clay with grog inclusions; hard-fired.

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Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu