Terracotta statuette of an old nurse holding a child

Terracotta statuette of an old nurse holding a child

Hellenistic sculpture

"Figurines of seated and standing nurses with babies became popular in the fourth century B.C. This specific type is a later one and reflects the interest in realism in the Early Hellenistic period. Its invention was probably due to the influence of the so-called New Comedy that began in Athens at this time and in which the child-holding nurse was a common character."
"Medium: Terracotta
Dimensions: H. 5 3/8 in. (13.7 cm)
Classification: Terracottas"

This sculpture displays a old nurse holding a small baby. When it states, "the child-holding nurse was a common character", I think of how the nurse could have been a maid and took care of the baby. This makes me think of the aspect of slavery and how little they got paid and how most lived in poverty. Although the lady is a nurse, she is old as it states. The fact that she is old and still working may be because she needs money to keep living.

"Greek, Attic or Boeotian"

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

"last quarter of 4th century B.C."

Brynn Leukuma

Copyright, The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Used here for educational purposes only.

Terracotta Sculptures

File Format: Jpeg
"Medium: Terracotta
Dimensions: H. 5 3/8 in. (13.7 cm)"

English

Image

"Period: Hellenistic
Date: last quarter of 4th century B.C.
Geographic location:
Europe (185,177)
Greece (22,187)"