Unknown Artist
Today is All Saints’ Day, a Christian feast dedicated to remembering all the saints, known and unknown, and a day that in many countries is closely connected with visiting cemeteries and commemorating the dead. The desire to preserve the memory of those who have died, however, reaches far beyond Christianity. More than 2,000 years ago, the ancient Greeks created elaborate grave monuments that kept the deceased symbolically present among the living—and this beautiful funerary relief is one such example.
It presents a wealthy woman reclining comfortably in an elaborate cushioned armchair while a young servant holds a shallow chest before her. The deceased reaches toward its lid, repeating a familiar motif in Greek funerary art in which the dead interact with treasured possessions from their earthly lives—perhaps expressing the hope that such pleasures and comforts might continue in the afterlife. Everything about the woman shows her privileged status: she wears what appear to be gold snake-shaped bracelets, while her luxurious chair is decorated with lion’s-paw feet and an eagle-shaped arm support. By contrast, the young attendant's clothing and hairstyle identify her as an enslaved servant. The relief originally formed part of a naiskos, a small temple-like grave monument, although its architectural top, left side, and lower section were later removed.
P.S. Art has always been one of the ways we preserve memories across generations. If you’d like to share a little piece of art with someone you care about, discover our Masterpieces 50 Postcards Set in the DailyArt Shop—50 beautiful works of art ready to be sent, collected, or simply enjoyed.
P.P.S. Take a closer look at the funerary stelae of ancient Cyprus and the stories they tell about those who came before us.