“The Body Beautiful” in Ancient Greece: early sculptures from the Cyclades Islands


The earliest sculpture in the exhibition is a female figurine of white marble, typical of the art of the Cyclades Islands. Made around 2600-2400 BC, the figurine has a lyre-shaped head and is in a serene position with its arms crossed and feet pointing downwards. Despite the fact that these types of figurines are usually viewed standing up in museum display cases, it seems that they were actually meant to have been lying down rather than standing. This is an interesting insight especially when the uses of this type of figurine are considered.

Usually, these types of statues were of nude females, without any apparent clothing or adornments. In fact, the figure on display has no facial features, apart from a long and slender nose. The simple lines and pure forms of the sculptures of the Cyclades Islands have led them to be compared with the simplistic and abstract purity that is sought after in modern art. Comparisons have been made between them and the works of Picasso and Brancusi, whilst sculptures, such as Henry Moore, have recognised their debt to the art of the Cyclades Islands. Moore once wrote: “I want and admire the sculptures from the Cyclades Islands”.

However, as is often the case in archaeology, things are not always how they appear. Recent investigations have once again demonstrated that many or perhaps even the majority of Cyclades figurines were originally painted. Details such as facial features, tufts of hair and sometimes jewellery were often painted on the figures. Some of the figurines have clear signs of decoration on their bodies as well, including patterns of points, stripes, eyes and stars. Their original appearance would have been very different to the pure white marble that has survived today.

This lecture will discuss the sculpture of the Cyclades Islands, not just considering its form and historical context, but also what it and other archaeological evidence can reveal about life in the Cyclades Islands in the third millennium BC.