Archaic korai

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What were the function and significance of the ancient Greek marble statues of maidens known as korai? The author addresses these questions through exhaustive research. Between the seventh and fifth centuries B.C., these skillfully carved statues were widely distributed across the Greek world, found in both sanctuaries and cemeteries. A notable discovery on the Akropolis in Athens in 1886 unearthed fourteen korai, drawing scholarly attention to these impressive sculptures of young women in elaborate, often brightly painted costumes, adorned with jewelry, and holding various attributes. Numerous studies have attempted to place the korai in chronological order and analyze their style, aiming to ascribe them to specific art centers or artists. However, the reasons for their creation remain unexplained. The author distinguishes her approach by first presenting all known korai in photographs, some published for the first time, and detailing their features in a comprehensive series of tables. Using this catalogue, she seeks to determine the original placement of each kore and its historical and cultural context. Ultimately, she provides insights into who the korai represented, their significance, the motivations behind their commissioning, and their role in Greek society.