Head of Zeus from the Artemision 20,5 cm

This sculptural head derives from the Zeus of Artemision, one of the most celebrated masterpieces of ancient Greek art. The original statue, dated to around 460 BCE, was a monumental full-figure representation of Zeus captured at the instant of hurling a thunderbolt. Created during the Early Classical period, also known as the Severe Style, the work marks a pivotal moment in Greek sculpture, transitioning from Archaic rigidity to naturalistic movement and restrained power. The statue was discovered in the sea near Cape Artemision in northern Euboea during the 1920s and is now housed in the National Archaeological Museum in Athens, where it stands as a defining image of divine authority and athletic idealism. Though the sculptor remains unknown, the work is often associated with artistic circles linked to Myron or Kalamis. Originally designed to be viewed from below, the head conveys calm dominance amid dynamic action, embodying Zeus as supreme god, lawgiver, and master of cosmic order.