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Hypatia of Alexandria: A Fiercely Intelligent Woman



Author(s)

Liana De Girolami Cheney

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DOI:10.17265/2328-2177/2024.08.001

University of Massachusetts, Lowell, USA

The novel Hypatia: Or New Foes With an Old Face by Charles Kingsley, published in 1853, provided valuable insight into Hypatia’s achievements and the unfortunate circumstances surrounding her untimely demise. Kingsley’s novel portrayed a fiercely intelligent woman, Hypatia, who sparked the interest of many artists, particularly sculptors. They were eager to capture in their statues the personification of this remarkable ancient mathematician, philosopher, and scientist of ancient Egypt, Hypatia of Alexandria (355-415). This essay has two parts. The first provides a brief overview of Hypatia’s life and accomplishments. The second part focuses on four sculptures from the 19th century created by different artists: Hypatia (1873-1876) by the American Howard Roberts, Hypatia (1874) by the Italian Odoardo Tabacchi, Hypatia (1890) by Francis John Williamson, and Hypatia (1894) by Richard Claude Belt. The two latter works are by British sculptors.

Hypatia of Alexandria, Egyptian-Greek woman scientist, victimization, Neoplatonism, Charles Kingsley, 19th-century sculptures