The Mattei Athena is a marble sculpture dating to the 2nd or 1st century BC. It is considered by scholars to be a copy of the Piraeus Athena.[1] It is currently on exhibit at the Louvre Abu Dhabi.[2]
| Mattei Athena | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Medium | Marble |
| Dimensions | 230 cm × 98 cm (91 in × 39 in) |
| Location | Louvre Abu Dhabi |
Structure
editThe Mattei Athena and the bronze Piraeus Athena are almost identical in regards to their size, stance, and dress. The Mattei Athena's left hand and wrist are part of a modern restoration, but it is considered likely that they matched the Piraeus Athena originally.
The position of the right hand and arm differ between the sculptures-the Piraeus Athena's right arm extends forward with her palm up, while the Mattei Athena's arm is bent and her hand sits on her hip. This difference is attributed by scholars to economic and technical reasons. To carve the right arm extending forward would have required more marble, and the arm might not have been strong enough to hold something, as it is believed the Piraeus Athena originally did.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b Waywell, GB (1971). "Athena Mattei". The Annual of the British School at Athens. 66: 373–382 – via Cambridge University Press.
- ^ "Athéna Mattéi". Louvre.