Torso of a Woman, Iris

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This captivating sculpture is a plaster replica transferred from the Academy of Fine Arts in 1952, directly cast from Phidias' original Greek masterpiece created around 480-430 BC. Phidias, a renowned sculptor, also designed the iconic Zeus statue from Olympia and the breathtaking Parthenon friezes and gable figures. This remarkable piece is one of several statues from the west pediment of The Parthenon in Athens, commonly known as The Elgin Marbles due to Lord Elgin's infamous looting of the area in 1816. This striking statue originates from the West pediment of the Parthenon, which depicted a dramatic scene showcasing the mythical contest between Athena and Poseidon for dominance over Attica. It portrays a woman wearing a short, sleeveless chiton girdled at the waist, likely with a metal girdle that is now missing. The drapery clings to her body in some areas, while elsewhere it flutters around restlessly, as if caught in a gust of wind. Her arms and wings, which were inserted into her shoulders from behind, are unfortunately missing. It has been suggested that the absent head could be the so-called Laborde head now housed at the Musée de Louvre in Paris. The statue has been confidently identified as Iris, the winged messenger goddess. The dynamic movement of the drapery and the sculpture's pose convincingly suggest the rush of wind against her body during flight, imbuing the piece with a sense of fluid motion.