Beauty (cast from the family tomb of Wisdom Afentaki in the First Cemetery of Athens) 1878

Yannoulis Chalepas created this marble sculpture titled "Beauty" for the tomb of Wisdom Afentaki in the First Cemetery of Athens. The sculpture invites us to consider the cultural norms and personal experiences that shape our understanding of life, death, and beauty. Chalepas lived during a time of significant social and political change in Greece, and he faced personal struggles with mental health. These experiences deeply influenced his artistic vision. "Beauty" challenges traditional representations of mourning. It depicts a young woman, reclined as if asleep, clutching a cross, which evokes both vulnerability and serenity. The work offers an alternative narrative, focusing on the intimate and emotional dimensions of loss. It invites us to contemplate the intersection of gender, faith, and mortality. "Beauty" prompts reflection on how societies grieve and memorialize their dead, offering a poignant commentary on the human condition.