Media Information

 
 
 
Collection:
ADJUNCT MODULE A: ITALIAN ART
Preferred Title:
Statue of Melpomene, Muse of Tragedy
Image View:
Overall view in situ with added base
Creator:
unknown (Roman (ancient))
Location:
repository: Musei Vaticani (Rome (Vatican City), Santa Sede (Holy See), Italy) Inv. 299
Location Note:
Museo Pio-Clementino; Hall of the Muses
GPS:
41.906389 12.454444
Date:
ca. 117-138 CE (creation)
Cultural Context:
Roman (ancient)
Style Period:
Imperial (Roman)
Work Type 1:
sculpture (visual work)
Classification:
sculpture
Material:
marble
Technique:
carving (processes)
Description:
Roman artwork from the 2nd century CE. The Hall of the Muses, opened to the public in 1784, was intended for the display of a series of sculptures which had been found in 1774 at the so-called Villa of Cassius near Tivoli, which included many statues of the Muses, all dating from the time of the Emperor Hadrian. The statues were greatly modified by 18th century restorers: some of them did not originally depict muses and were modified in order to complete the full number of nine personifications of the arts. The muse is shown in a long-sleeved garment with a high belt, clothing that was associated with tragic actors. Her wreath of vines and grapes alludes to Dionysus, the god of the theater. (Source: Vatican Museums (Musei Vaticani) [website]; http://mv.vatican.va /)
Collection:
Adjunct Module A: Italian Art
Identifier:
7A3-R-VM-SM-A06
Rights:
© Scott Gilchrist, Archivision, Inc.

Statue of Melpomene, Muse of Tragedy