Media Information

 
 
 
Collection:
ADJUNCT MODULE C: WORLD ART
Preferred Title:
Bust of Serapis
Alternate Title:
Busto di Serapide
Image View:
Overall view from front right
Creator:
after unknown (Roman (ancient) sculptor); Bryaxis (Ancient Greek sculptor, active 2nd half of 4th century BCE)
Location:
repository: Musei Vaticani (Rome (Vatican City), Santa Sede (Holy See), Italy) Inv. 245
Location Note:
Museo Pio-Clementino; Sala Rotonda
GPS:
41.906389 12.454444
Date:
Roman copy, 180-200 CE (creation)
Cultural Context:
Roman (ancient)
Style Period:
Greco-Roman; Imperial (Roman)
Work Type 1:
sculpture (visual work)
Classification:
Sculpture and Installations
Material:
white marble
Technique:
carving (processes)
Subjects:
deities; mythology (Classical); Egypt--Religion; sun god; Graeco-Egyptian; Ptolemaic; syncretism
Description:
Colossal bust of Serapis, in the style of an original from the Serapeum of Alexandria attributed to Bryaxis of 320-310 BCE. Roman copy dated 180-200 CE. Found in 1771 in the area of the Villa of Gallieno on the Appian Way and sold to the museum by Gavin Hamilton. The Graeco-Egyptian god has the "calathus" (extensively restored) on his head in the shape of a "modius" (cylindrical container use to hold and measure wheat). His hair is bound by a band which has holes for fixing the seven bronze rays (now lost) which identify Serapis with Helios / Sol. Serapis continued to increase in popularity during the Roman period. (Source: Vatican Museums (Musei Vaticani) [website]; http://www.museivati cani.va/)
Collection:
Archivision Adjunct Module C: World Art
Identifier:
7A3-R-VM-BOS-A02
Rights:
© Scott Gilchrist, Archivision, Inc.

Bust of Serapis