Selene 

Jean-Léon Gérôme created this bronze bust of Selene, the Greek goddess of the moon, in the late 19th century. During this period, there was a fascination with classical mythology, but also very strict expectations about women’s roles in society. Selene, as a mythological figure, could be explored artistically in ways that real women could not. In Gérôme’s bust, Selene is not portrayed as an ethereal goddess, but as a woman with a strong, almost stern gaze. The crescent moon behind her head and the star in her hair are the only signifiers of her divine status. Gérôme seems to be exploring themes of female power and autonomy, even as he confines his subject to the realm of mythology. Although classical in subject, the artist has clearly used a real person as his model, giving her a tangible, modern presence. This invites us to think about the place of women in the 19th century, and the tensions between societal expectations and individual strength.