Marble relief of Hermes, three nymphs, and Acheloös
Unknown Artist
ca. 320–300 BCE
Medium
Marble, Island ?
Dimensions
Overall: 11 1/8 x 15 1/2in. (28.2 x 39.4cm)
Classification
Stone Sculpture
Culture & Period
Greek, Attic · Hellenistic
Department
Greek and Roman Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Fletcher Fund, 1925
Accession Number
25.78.59
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite Hellenistic marble relief, created in Attica around 320–300 BCE, captures a lively mythological gathering. Hermes, the messenger god, stands alongside three graceful nymphs and the river deity Acheloös. Carved from fine island marble, the small-scale work (just over 11 by 15 inches) likely served as a votive offering, reflecting the deep reverence for nature spirits and divine protectors in ancient Greek religious practice. During the Hellenistic period, Attic sculptors moved toward more dynamic compositions and expressive figures while retaining classical ideals of harmony. Th...