Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art: The Dinner Party: Heritage Floor: Hipparchia

The Greek philosopher Hipparchia led an unconventional life. She was a member of the Cynic school of philosophy, which rejected material possessions and prized nonconformity. More controversial was the tenet of shamelessness. It is said that Hipparchia and her husband Crates demonstrated their commitment to this principle by consummating their marriage in public. None of Hipparchia's writings survive and what we know of her comes from ancient sources such as Diogenes Laertius' Lives of Eminent Philosophers (third century A.D.).