Thalia 1825 - 1850

Curator: Today, we are looking at a delicate Neoclassical marble cameo created by Giuseppe Girometti between 1825 and 1850. It's titled "Thalia" and currently resides here at the Met. Editor: My first thought? It feels very self-contained. Like a precious secret held within that oval frame. Almost like looking at a goddess preserved in amber. Curator: The choice of marble is certainly key. Marble lends a certain gravitas, doesn't it? But it is the identity of the muse, Thalia that enriches the understanding. As one of the nine muses in Greek mythology, Thalia presided over comedy and idyllic poetry, symbolizing merriment and festive joy. This resonates deeply considering societal conceptions of women. Editor: Yes, exactly! Despite being rendered in cold marble, there is a sweetness there in her expression. What does that juxtaposition say, though? Was this piece a conscious dialogue with contemporary ideals of women’s role as keepers of domestic happiness and social delight? Or, a flat denial of societal roles, showing Thalia to simply be Thalia: a self-determined figurehead of comedy and poetry? Curator: Given its historical period, one could argue it serves as both an ideal and a subversion, navigating between expected societal roles and empowering representations of mythological figures. The cameo could be read as upholding Neoclassical values and aesthetic ideals that align with a particular social framework but, perhaps subtly, questions the limiting scope and role definitions through the selection of a divine subject and figure. Editor: That resonates so strongly, the tightrope walk between expectations. Even her style… I'm not seeing overt signs of rebellion, you know? Still within expected forms and shapes, the overall artistic constraints imposed upon women and their depiction, a sort of Neoclassical corset. I love this internal push-and-pull, like a conversation happening inside the cameo itself. Curator: Absolutely. Girometti was masterful at encapsulating a multitude of cultural influences into a delicate miniature portrait. He manages to place the object in history but subtly encourages present conversation through this timeless piece. Editor: A reminder that even something small can hold a whole world of meanings, constantly changing and yet somehow timeless.