Eyes of Statues

Many of the marble statues from Greek and Roman antiquity are very life-like, except for those blank eyes which give the impression that the statues are blind.

This one, however, is different. It is unnerving looking directly into those eyes, isn’t it?

Many of these marble statues were supposedly fitted with glass eyes - actually thin layers of colored glass - originally. Most of those eyes have since disappeared from the statues over the years, perhaps because they are so fragile. This one in the Vatican Museums is one of those whose glass eyes are still intact.

It is probably better this ways, however. Otherwise these statues may be too life-like, and it can be really uncomfortable under those unblinking, watchful eyes.