Thalia, Muse of Comedy at The British Museum, London

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In ancient mythology, Thalia was one of nine Muses revered for their artistic prowess. The Muses were Apollo's female companions and devoted themselves to the arts and sciences with unwavering dedication. Roman poets depicted Thalia as a gentle soul with a deep affection for comedy. The intricately carved marble statue beautifully captures her essence. An ivy wreath and shepherd's crook adorn the statue, symbolizing Thalia's connection to the countryside where comic performances originated. Her heavy mantle has slipped from her shoulders, revealing a slender undergarment that accentuates her alluring female form. This masterpiece was unearthed in 1776 by British painter and excavator Gavin Hamilton. It emerged alongside other sculptures in an ancient bath building of Rome's port city, Ostia. Following traditional practices at the time, the statue was meticulously restored before being acquired by renowned collector Charles Townley for his London museum. This object is part of "Scan The World", a non-profit initiative launched by MyMiniFactory to create a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from around the globe. Scan the World is an open-source community effort that allows anyone with interesting items to contribute. If you have something you'd like to share, email stw@myminifactory.com to find out how you can participate. Scanned using photogrammetry (processed with Agisoft PhotoScan)