Media Information

 
 
 
Collection:
ADJUNCT MODULE C: WORLD ART
Preferred Title:
Democritus or Philosopher
Alternate Title:
Bust of Unknown Greek
Image View:
Overall view from the front
Creator:
unknown (Roman (ancient) sculptor)
Location:
repository: Museo Archeologico Nazionale (Naples, Campania, Italy) 5602
Location Note:
Piazza Museo, 19
GPS:
40.853378 14.250486
Date:
Roman copy, before 79 CE (creation)
Cultural Context:
Roman (ancient)
Style Period:
Imperial (Roman)
Work Type 1:
sculpture (visual work)
Classification:
Sculpture and Installations
Material:
bronze
Technique:
casting (process)
Subjects:
literary or legendary; portrait; Herculaneum (Extinct city)
Description:
Bronze bust of an unknown man, perhaps a philosopher, discovered in the Villa of the Papyri in Herculaneum. The identification of the piece with Democritus (460-370 BCE), already advanced in the eighteenth century, was revived with new vigor in recent times. Such an identification would agree well with the adherence of the villa owner and patron of the 'gallery' of sculptures in the square peristyle. Epicurean philosophy descended from the doctrine of Democritus. It should, however, be noted that over the years, scholars have seen in the bronze very different characters from Solon and Aristotle to Philopoemen. Roman copy of a Greek original of the 3rd century BCE. (Source: Naples National Archaeological Museum [website]; https://www.museoarc heologiconapoli.it/e n/)
Collection:
Archivision Adjunct Module C: World Art
Identifier:
7A3-R-NAM-VP-DE-A01
Rights:
© Scott Gilchrist, Archivision, Inc.

Democritus or Philosopher