Getty Museum

Statuette of a Mime

Date

225–175 B.C.

Medium

Terracotta with white slip and polychromy (bright pink, light pink, red)

Culture

Greek (South Italian, Tarantine)

Department

Sculpture

Institution

Getty Museum

The slender character stands with its right leg slightly bent backward; the left arm is poised on the hip, while the right arm is outstretched in a declamatory gesture. The head turns sharply to the left; the face features a hooked nose, large, furrowed eyebrows forming two creases across the forehead, and a grim gaze. The figure is wearing a short chiton and cloak rolled up around the waist. Fluttering folds at the hips suggest movement. The hair is held back by a pink kekruphalos, or netted headband, the ends of which are knotted over the forehead. Extensive traces of polychromy remain; there is a large, circular vent hole on the lower back. The exaggerated, theatrical pose, which seems to parody common iconographies of Artemis between the fourth and third centuries B.C., suggests that it represents an actor performing in a “phlyax farce,” or hilarotragedy, in the role of either the goddess or a member of her entourage.

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