ATTRIBUTED TO THE SCHUSTER SCULPTOR, LATE SPEDOS TO DOKATHISMATA VARIETY, CIRCA 2400 B.C.

The Cycladic artist today known as the Schuster Sculptor takes his name from a complete figure formerly in the collection of Madame Marion Schuster of Lausanne (sold in these rooms 9 December 2010). So far twelve other figures have been attributed to this artist. He combines the characteristics of two main schools of Cycladic sculpture, Late Spedos and Dokathismata, fusing the two approaches into "an easily recognized and extremely harmonious style" with "bold curving aspects derived from the former with angular elements and upper body width more appropriate to the latter. The execution is controlled and precise throughout, with all forms and details clearly and carefully defined" (see Getz-Preziosi, Sculptors of the Cyclades, Individual and Tradition in the Third Millennium B.C., p. 115). Some of the hallmarks of his style are the curving neckline in front; narrow arms, the forearms arching subtly to accent the swelling of the belly; a rather large deep pubic triangle bisected by the continuation of the leg-cleft, denoting the genitalia; well-defined knees; a deeply grooved leg-cleft that continues as far as the buttock line; and a delicate arching of the feet (op. cit., p. 116).