Head of a Helmeted Athena at The Louvre, Paris

myminifactory

The metal eyelashes are intricately designed and the entire face was originally painted a vibrant color. The neck would then have been inserted into the body of a magnificent statue. This stunning head, gifted to the Louvre by the illustrious Marquis de Vogüé, proudly wears a helmet that symbolizes Athena's status as the goddess of war. Originally, the statue boasted polychrome highlights and metal pieces carefully inserted into precise holes. With its expression of unyielding gravity and resolution, this head serves as a testament to the pivotal role played by Aeginian sculptors in crafting the Early Classical style during the early fifth century BCE. This exquisite female head was originally part of the esteemed Pourtalès collection, before being acquired by the Marquis de Vogüé, who generously donated it to the Louvre in 1907. Created separately, the head was intended to be integrated into a statue of Athena that has since been lost. The helmet serves as a poignant reminder of Athena's revered status as the goddess of war. A series of holes on the piece indicate the original presence of metal pieces, which were added as highlights to the marble to accentuate its natural beauty. Delicate curls of hair, attached to the temples, cascaded down the cheeks, jewelry was placed in the earlobes, and the eyes were beautifully fringed with intricate eyelashes. The helmet was completed by a neckguard and raised cheek protectors, carefully attached to the central band. The sculpture was topped by a majestic crest, likely crafted from marble, which was inserted into a slot at the top of the skull. Paint, of which no remnants remain, was probably used to emphasize the goddess's impassive and austere expression. This remarkable work was discovered on the enchanting island of Aegina, situated off the west coast of Attica. In the early fifth century BCE, the island was home to thriving sculpture workshops that worked tirelessly on the architectural decoration of the temple of Athena Aphaia. Gradually, its artists broke free from Archaic conventions in favor of a more naturalistic style. Fragments of decorative sculptures from the temple pediments, now housed in the collections of the Glyptothek in Munich, illustrate this transition particularly clearly: the decorative conventions characteristic of the Archaic style still prevail on the western pediment, while the eastern pediment is already in the austere Early Classical style. The head of Athena, very close to the aesthetic of the eastern pediment, serves as a valuable reminder of the crucial role played by sculptors in shaping the Early Classical style. Created around 470-460 BCE, this work presents all of the defining characteristics of this style: the resolute, grave expression created by the loss of the "Archaic smile", the eyes rimmed by a slightly thicker upper lid, and the rounded chin. Anatomical details such as the eyes, ears, and mouth are rendered in a more naturalistic manner. This object is part of the esteemed "Scan The World" initiative. Scan the World is a non-profit endeavor introduced by MyMiniFactory, through which we are creating a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from across the globe for the public to access for free. Scan the World is an open-source community effort; if you have interesting items around you and would like to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to find out how you can help. This remarkable object was scanned using photogrammetry (processed using Agisoft PhotoScan).