Tanagra

My study of the golden age of Greek sculpture
would not be complete without
including the small terracotta figures

most famously from the town of Tanagra
that were unearthed beginning around 1860

.... just in time for the art-as-decoration movements
that came 20-30 years later.


I suppose these small objects will never
command the adulation of the marbles at the Parthenon

but they're mostly in better condition,
and so many of them are so good.

In the history of small clay figures,
there's these 4th - 3rd century BCE Greek figures
and
there's those plump Tang women from the 8th C.
and then what else ?

West-central Mexico comes to mind -- but they don't
feel nearly as urbane.

These aren't the mysterious, powerful forces
of heaven and earth,
these are just gentle town folk,
dressed up and going to market.








So laid-back,
so easy going




time is passing,
and so what ?






a certain shyness
and reserve
is appropriate
when fine ladies
step out onto the street




this is a woman
who knows how to do
a day's work











she seems so fashionable
in her broad rimmed
sun hat






This could be me,
delivering a speech
to the directors
of the local art museum

(imploring them to display
contemporary statuary
of sweet and gentle
urban folk like these)



I've always been
a little intimidated
by women with big hair

(and even without the hair,
she feel powerful)





I love these hats,
and I love her elegance






I made some playful putti
myself a few years ago




but nothing as
swinging as this one







Where can I get one of these hats ?

No civilized man can be without one.
(and perhaps it could also serve
as a spare wheel for a cart ?)