Draped Boy Leaning on Pillar

This young boy is nude save for a mantle loosely draped around his back. He leans on a short pillar with his left elbow, his wreathed head directed downward and to his right. There is a sense of charm and sweetness in the way the artist has depicted the boy. Although his left hand is broken and missing, the bag he held still remains. The bag probably contained "astragali," or knucklebones of an animal, which were used in an ancient form of the game jacks. While the statuette is modeled in the round, the drapery is more schematic and flatter on the back. Extensive remains of white paint survive on his body and drapery. There is a square vent hole in the center of the back.

Although generally referred to as Tanagra figurines after the most famous findspot, Tanagra (modern Schimatari) in Boeotia, Greece, statuettes of this type have been found at other sites in the ancient world, including Myrina and Smyrna (modern Izmir) in Asia Minor. The most common forms of the statuettes depict young women sitting, standing, or in the process of graceful movement, but there are also examples showing men or children. The statuettes were used as grave offerings, votives, decorative objects, and perhaps toys. The hair, clothing, skin, and jewelry of the pieces were originally painted, although most of the colors are presently faded.

Provenance

Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object.

Joseph Brummer, New York and Paris, [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1925, by purchase; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.