Whispering Zephyr 1881 - 1885

This marble relief, "Whispering Zephyr" by Thomas Ball, presents us with a classical profile of a woman, accompanied by a barely visible second face. The Zephyr, in classical mythology, symbolizes the gentle west wind, a harbinger of spring and renewal. Often depicted as a soft, life-giving breeze, it's a symbol deeply rooted in the human psyche. Notice how the woman's features are idealized, almost ethereal. This harkens back to ancient Greek and Roman sculptures, where beauty was synonymous with moral virtue and divine favor. But consider too, the barely-there second face looming in the background. The image recalls Botticelli's "Birth of Venus", in which Zephyr appears, blowing the goddess towards the shore. These figures, resurfacing through centuries, carry with them echoes of past emotions and beliefs. And so, the symbol of the Zephyr continues its journey through time, a gentle reminder of the eternal cycle of life, death, and rebirth.