Hermes
Mitte des 2. Jhs. n. Chr., nach Bronzeoriginal um 430 v. Chr.
The wings identify this youthful deity as Hermes, the messenger of the gods, his face framed by his famous curls. This is a transformation of the head of a statue of Hercules produced by the Greek sculptor Polycleitus in the second half of the 5th century B.C. Although the wings change the figure’s identity, and his turned head and the conception of his hairstyle have also been altered, this copy from the early Antonine period clearly references the Classical bronze model.
The wings identify this youthful deity as Hermes, the messenger of the gods, his face framed by his famous curls. This is a transformation of the head of a statue of Hercules produced by the Greek sculptor Polycleitus in the second half of the 5th century B.C. Although the wings change the figure’s identity, and his turned head and the conception of his hairstyle have also been altered, this copy from the early Antonine period clearly references the Classical bronze model.
Time:
Mitte des 2. Jhs. n. Chr., nach Bronzeoriginal um 430 v. Chr.
Object Name
Kopf
Culture
Römisch
Location of discovery:
Ephesos Hafengymnasium (Selçuk, Kleinasien, Türkei)
Material/technology:
Marmor
Dimensions:
H. 39 cm
Copyright
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Antikensammlung
Invs.
Antikensammlung, I 828
Provenance
Sultan, Abdul, Hamid, II.; Österreichische Ausgrabungen in Ephesos; Geschenk an Kaiser Franz Joseph; 1911 nachträglich inventarisiert