Grief Made Marble: Funerary Sculpture in Classical Athens

Seth Estrin's study explores the emotional effects of ancient Greek funerary sculpture, demonstrating how it gave grief visual and material presence and mobilized questions about sculptural form and pictorial recognition to political ends.

Format: Hardback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 24 October 2023
Publisher: Yale University Press

In this captivating exploration, Seth Estrin delves into the profound emotional impact of ancient Greek funerary sculpture, shedding light on one of the most significant and influential categories of Greek art. Rather than merely documenting the experiences of bereavement, Estrin demonstrates how funerary monuments played a crucial role in giving grief a visual and material presence. Through the subtle techniques of relief sculpture, these monuments transformed private experiences of loss into socially meaningful expressions that resonated with others. By identifying the deaths they commemorated as worthy of profound grief, funerary monuments became powerful tools for constructing and reinforcing social hierarchies.

Estrin's study is grounded in meticulous research of numerous monuments, complemented by new interpretations of their accompanying epigrams and ancient literary sources. He also delves into both ancient and modern theories of emotion, providing a comprehensive framework for understanding the emotional dimensions of sculpture in antiquity. Grief Made Marble makes a groundbreaking contribution to the study of Greek sculpture, expanding our understanding of the intricate relationship between art and emotion in ancient times.

Through his lyrical writing and exquisite illustrations, Estrin transports readers to the world of ancient Greek funerary sculpture, inviting them to experience the profound emotions evoked by these magnificent works of art. By exploring the social and political implications of funerary monuments, Estrin offers a fresh perspective on the role of art in shaping ancient societies and human experiences. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in ancient art, history, and the complex interplay between emotion and artistic expression.

Weight: 1256g
Dimension: 393 x 293 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780300269369