Tombstone of Philostrata Attica Late 4th century BC
This remarkable Attic tombstone is one of just a few of Greek origin in the Hermitage collection. On the lower projection the word 'Philostrata' is engraved. The subject, a farewell to the dead, was typical of Greek tombstones of the second half of the 5th century. The sculptor represented a seated young woman, maid tendering her a box with jewellery. While the pose of the young woman expresses profound grief, her face is impassive. It is the gestures of the group which are the main means of conveying the general mood, creating an atmosphere of quiet elegiac sadness. The tranquil and balanced composition of the relief is created in the traditions of Attic High Classicism, while the style and technique show the influence of Phidias.
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