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The Brooklyn Museum

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




signature image

Judy Chicago (American, b. 1939). The Dinner Party (Heritage Floor; detail), 1974–79. Porcelain with rainbow and gold luster, 48 x 48 x 48 ft. (14.6 x 14.6 x 14.6 m). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Elizabeth A. Sackler Foundation, 2002.10. © Judy Chicago. Photograph by Jook Leung Photography

Lamia
Flourished late 4th–early 3rd century B.C., Macedon, ancient Greece

The Greek flautist Lamia became a courtesan and eventually the beloved of Demetrius I, king of Macedon (reigned 294–288 B.C.). Known for her wit and talent, the Athenians consecrated a temple of Aphrodite in Lamia's name to gain favor with Demetrius. She amassed a small fortune and funded an art gallery—thought to be the second in history—at Sicyon. Lamia's exploits are documented in Plutarch's life of Demetrius (circa A.D. 75) and The Deipnosophists of Athenaeus (flourished circa A.D. 200).

Related Place Setting

Aspasia

Related Heritage Floor Entries

Aglaonice
Agnodice
Arete of Cyrene
Aristoclea
Aspasia of Athens
Axiothea
Cynisca
Damo
Diotima
Elpinice
Euryleon

Hipparchia
Hippo
Leontium
Nicobule
Perictyone
Phile
Salpe
Telesilla
Theano
Theoclea

Last updated January 29, 2007.
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