Ancient Greek Kairos relief discovered in Trogir

An ancient Greek marble relief, dating back to the 4th or 3rd century BCE, has gained renewed attention following its history in Trogir, Croatia. The artwork depicts the Greek god Kairos, the personification of the fleeting moment, and is attributed to Lysippos, one of the most renowned sculptors of antiquity who served Alexander the Great.

The relief was discovered in 1928 by art historian Don Ivan Delalle in the attic of a house formerly owned by the prominent Statilić family. Historians speculate that the piece may have been brought from Greece to Croatia during the Renaissance by a family member traveling abroad. The sculpture is considered one of the rarest and best-preserved depictions of Kairos in the world.

In Greek mythology, Kairos is depicted with wings on his feet and back to symbolize his speed. The relief captures the essence of the deity: he must be caught by his forelock before he flies away, for once the moment passes, it cannot be retrieved. The treasure is currently preserved in the Monastery of St. Nicholas in Trogir.