Media Information

 
 
 
Collection:
ADJUNCT MODULE C: WORLD ART
Preferred Title:
Colossal Statue of the Genius Populi Romani
Alternate Title:
Lare Farnese
Image View:
Detail, upper body; the hand holding leafy branches is a restoration
Creator:
Carlo Albacini (Italian restorer, active 1780-1807); unknown (Roman (ancient) sculptor)
Location:
repository: Museo Archeologico Nazionale (Naples, Campania, Italy) 5975
Location Note:
Piazza Museo, 19; Farnese Collection
GPS:
40.853378 14.250486
Date:
2nd century CE (creation)
Cultural Context:
Roman (ancient)
Style Period:
Imperial (Roman)
Work Type 1:
sculpture (visual work)
Classification:
Sculpture and Installations
Material:
white marble
Technique:
carving (processes)
Measurements:
396 cm (height)
Subjects:
deities; mythology (Classical); Restoration and conservation
Description:
The sculpture, from the Hadrianic period, wears a tunic and wears the toga folded around his waist to form a belt (balteus). In his right hand he holds a patera, and wears a type of sandal used in portraits of emperors in military garb; this identifies him as a genius, a protective spirit of the Roman people, rather than a lar. Given the exceptional size of the statue, it must have come from an important public building. The leafy branches in the left hand are the result of a restoration by Carlo Albacini. Initially it was thought that the sculpture had been found at the Baths of Caracalla in Rome. But a drawing of the "Lare Farnese" made by the Dutch artist Maarten van Heemskerck, prior to the excavation of the Roman baths, denies this hypothesis. More likely the work comes from Villa Madama, where Margaret of Austria lived. (Source: Naples National Archaeological Museum [website]; https://www.museoarc heologiconapoli.it/e n/)
Collection:
Archivision Adjunct Module C: World Art
Identifier:
7A3-R-NAM-FL-A03
Rights:
© Scott Gilchrist, Archivision, Inc.

Colossal Statue of the Genius Populi Romani