Marble female figure

Technical analysis: Multiband imaging, optical microscopy, Raman spectroscopy


The figure is carved from heteroblastic fine-grained white marble (maximum grain size ≈ 1 mm). The figure is nearly complete except for the feet, which have broken off and appear to have been restored using a very fine-grained marble (maximum grain size ≈ 0.5 mm). Reddish brown accretions adhere to much of the surface, many in the shape of rootlets. The upper face and proper left side of the head is heavily pitted. A bright red pigment, identified as cinnabar, is visible on the tip of the nose and on the underside of the nose, as well as underneath accretions on the proper right breast. There are blue particles in the center groove on the lower back that are likely a modern contamination. On the top of and extending down the back of the head is a ghost image of hair. A lock of this hair extends each side of the head to eye level, most clearly visible on the proper right side. There are two faint ghost eyes, the more prominent on the proper left side.


The head is lyre-shaped and in profile the face has a smooth contour to the ridge at the top. The long triangular nose is the only facial feature sculpted in the marble. The head rests on a long thick neck. The body is rather compact with broad shoulders, ample waist, small high breasts and arms folded in the canonical fashion left over right across the abdomen. The pubic area is defined by two shallow grooves above the thighs and the curving line of the belly. The legs have full well-defined thighs and slender calves. A deep cleft separates the legs and becomes open below the knees and may have originally been reattached at the feet. In profile, the arms are carved from the body and there is a distinct bend to the knees. On the back, a shallow central groove defines the spine and is aligned with the cleft between the legs.


Seán Hemingway Dorothy Abramitis, Federico Carò