Marble votive relief fragment of goddesses, mother, nurse, and infant

Unknown

late 5th century BCE · Marble, Island · Greek and Roman Art

Childbirth in antiquity often resulted in the death of both the mother and infant. This small relief, which shows the mother and child alive post-partum, was presumably an offering to a healing deity such as Asklepios or Hygieia, in thanks for protection during this particularly dangerous rite of passage.

Artist

Unknown

Date

late 5th century BCE

Medium

Marble, Island

Culture

Greek

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Fletcher Fund, 1924