Aphrodite Heyl

Aphrodite Heyl is a terracotta figurine that portrays the goddess with a garment slipped from her shoulders, showing careful craftsmanship in the design. The work demonstrates fine detailing typical of ancient small-scale sculpture from this period.

Created in the 2nd century BCE in Myrina, Asia Minor, this figurine entered European collections through the Von Heyl estate. Its acquisition by Berlin's antiquities museum in 1930 helped establish one of Europe's major collections of ancient art.

This piece shows how Hellenistic artists portrayed the goddess through refined body proportions and draped cloth. Visitors can observe the artistic values that shaped how the ancient Greek world imagined divine beauty.

This small, fragile piece should be viewed from a comfortable distance to appreciate its details properly. The museum uses specialized lighting and protective cases to help preserve the work over time.

Traces of original paint survive beneath the surface, with blue marks on the headdress and reddish pigments in the folds of the garment. These color remains offer a rare glimpse into how such pieces looked when first created.

Location: Berlin-Mitte

GPS coordinates: 52.51940,13.39830

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:03