Media Information

 
 
 
Collection:
ADJUNCT MODULE C: WORLD ART
Preferred Title:
Belvedere Torso
Image View:
Overall view of back
Creator:
Apollonios of Athens (Ancient Greek sculptor, active 1st century BCE)
Location:
repository: Musei Vaticani (Rome (Vatican City), Santa Sede (Holy See), Italy) Inv. 1192
Location Note:
Museo Pio-Clementino
GPS:
41.906389 12.454444
Date:
ca. 1st century BCE (creation)
Cultural Context:
Ancient Greek
Style Period:
Hellenistic
Work Type 1:
sculpture (visual work)
Classification:
Sculpture and Installations
Material:
marble
Technique:
carving (processes)
Measurements:
1.59 m (height)
Subjects:
human figure; nude in art; sculpture fragment
Description:
Fragmentary marble statue of a nude male, known to be in Rome from the 1430s, and signed prominently on the front of the base by "Apollonios, son of Nestor, Athenian", who is unmentioned in ancient literature. The figure is portrayed seated on an animal hide, and its precise identification remains open to debate; recent studies have identified the skin as a panther hide, which opens more possibilities. Proposed identifications include Heracles (Hercules), Marsyas, Skiron, Polyphemos Philoktetes on the island of Lemnos, and more recently as the Greek hero Aias (Ajax) contemplating his imminent suicide. The Torso undoubtedly owes much of its fame to the fact that it was admired by Michelangelo. No attempt has been made to restore it, although many artists produced drawings and small sculptures of theoretical restorations. (Source: Grove Art Online; http://www.oxfordart online.com/)
Collection:
Archivision Adjunct Module C: World Art
Identifier:
7A3-G-VM-TBTC-A08
Rights:
© Scott Gilchrist, Archivision, Inc.

Belvedere Torso