Getty Museum

Grave Stele of Moschion with his Dog

Date

about 375 B.C.

Medium

Marble

Culture

Greek

Department

Sculpture

Institution

Getty Museum

A boy named Moschion reaches out toward the head of his dog on this sculpted gravestone. He holds a bird in his outstretched hand. This may be symbolic of the fragility of life, since it is a common scene on children's gravestones in ancient Greece. The boy's name is carved above his head along with the name of the ancient settlement where he was born, Rhamnous. Moschion is nude, except for his cloak, which appears to defy gravity as it hangs off his left shoulder, unattached in the front. His short hair ends in curls along the back of his neck. His dog stands on a rock and leaps up eagerly.

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