Fallen Caryatid Carrying Her Stone

This sculpture of a young woman belongs in a niche in the upper left column of The Gates of Hell. As it is placed in a high position of over 4 metres from the plinth, it is barely visible from ground level. However, here, it is presented as an independent sculpture of its own. In contrast to the ancient Greek caryatid in upright position lightly supporting a heavy stone beam, she is battered by the burden on her shoulders and is trying to endure the severe hardship half awake, half asleep. The dynamic struggle between the heaviness of the stone and her pose conveying the gravity from her right hand to her right leg results in a visually superb balance. This caryatid is a symbolic existence bearing the burden weighing heavily on mankind all on her own. (Source: The Digital Gallery. 1999-2006)