Judy Chicago (American, born 1939). <em>Aspasia Place Setting</em>, 1974-1979. Runner: Cotton/linen base fabric, woven interface support material (horsehair, wool, and linen), cotton twill tape, silk, stiffened cotton/linen fabric, “polished cotton” fabric, silk thread, metallic cord, cotton, thread
Plate: Porcelain with overglaze enamel (China paint), Runner: 52 x 30 in. (132.1 x 76.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of The Elizabeth A. Sackler Foundation, 2002.10-PS-11. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2002.10-PS-11_plate_PS9.jpg)

Judy Chicago (American, born 1939). Aspasia Place Setting, 1974-1979. Runner: Cotton/linen base fabric, woven interface support material (horsehair, wool, and linen), cotton twill tape, silk, stiffened cotton/linen fabric, “polished cotton” fabric, silk thread, metallic cord, cotton, thread Plate: Porcelain with overglaze enamel (China paint), Runner: 52 x 30 in. (132.1 x 76.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of The Elizabeth A. Sackler Foundation, 2002.10-PS-11. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2002.10-PS-11_plate_PS9.jpg)

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Could you tell me more about Aspasia, and the reasoning behind them attending the Dinner Party, as well as the place setting? Thanks.

Aspasia was politically active in 5th century BCE Athens and is best known as the mistress and an advisor to Pericles, an influential general and statesman who led Athens into its Golden Age. She met Pericles through her work as a hetaira, a type of highly trained courtesan who was paid to accompany men to intellectual events and expected to participate in political and philosophical discussion. Hetairai were known to have more freedoms than average Athenian women. Aspasia is acknowledged by ancient writers as an accomplished teacher of rhetoric; she may have managed a house of hetairai, the administration of which would have included educated women.

Aspasia's plate recalls a blooming flower which Chicago links to fertility. The "earth-tones" are meant to suggest Classical art.

In Aspasia's place setting, the side bands on the runner relate to the friezes on Greek urns and are embroidered in the satin and stem stitch. The front and back contain draped linen forms which relate to the togas customarily worn by the Greeks and often held in place by a clasp like those depicted in the embroidered pins.

Aspasia Place Setting

Judy Chicago

Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art

On View: Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art, 4th Floor

ARTIST Judy Chicago, American, born 1939

MEDIUM Runner: Cotton/linen base fabric, woven interface support material (horsehair, wool, and linen), cotton twill tape, silk, stiffened cotton/linen fabric, “polished cotton” fabric, silk thread, metallic cord, cotton, thread Plate: Porcelain with overglaze enamel (China paint)

DATES 1974-1979

DIMENSIONS Runner: 52 x 30 in. (132.1 x 76.2 cm) Plate:14 x 15 x 1 in. (35.6 x 38.1 x 2.5 cm) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 2002.10-PS-11

CREDIT LINE Gift of The Elizabeth A. Sackler Foundation

EXHIBITIONS

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art, 4th Floor

CAPTION Judy Chicago (American, born 1939). Aspasia Place Setting, 1974-1979. Runner: Cotton/linen base fabric, woven interface support material (horsehair, wool, and linen), cotton twill tape, silk, stiffened cotton/linen fabric, “polished cotton” fabric, silk thread, metallic cord, cotton, thread Plate: Porcelain with overglaze enamel (China paint), Runner: 52 x 30 in. (132.1 x 76.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of The Elizabeth A. Sackler Foundation, 2002.10-PS-11. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2002.10-PS-11_plate_PS9.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 2002.10-PS-11_plate_PS9.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2013

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Download our app and ask your own questions during your visit. Here are some that others have asked.

Could you tell me more about Aspasia, and the reasoning behind them attending the Dinner Party, as well as the place setting? Thanks.

Aspasia's plate recalls a blooming flower which Chicago links to fertility. The "earth-tones" are meant to suggest Classical art.