Sleeping Hermaphrodite Early 19th Large Neoclassical Marble Sculpture
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Sleeping Hermaphroditus, large neoclassical sculpture in white marble, Rome, early 19th century.
The Sleeping Hermaphroditus is a life-size marble sculpture depicting Hermaphroditus, a figure from Greek mythology and the son of Hermes and Aphrodite.
The young body lies gently on its right side, with the pelvis slightly raised and the left leg bent, the foot lifted. The arms are crossed beneath the head, which rests delicately upon them. The figure is nude, partially covered by the fabric on which it rests, which wraps around the calves. The torso appears to be turned in the opposite direction from the body, as if the figure were sleeping unconsciously, revealing on one side the face and the sinuous buttocks, and on the other the ambiguous nature of the male genitals and breasts.
The original model is attributed to the Greek sculptor Polyclitus: it is believed that the Hellenistic bronze version from the 2nd century BCE gave rise to numerous ancient and modern copies. The first example was discovered in the Basilica of Santa Maria della Vittoria in Rome in 1608 and immediately purchased by Cardinal Scipione Caffarelli-Borghese, who added it to his collection.
In 1620, the restoration of the work was entrusted to Gian Lorenzo Bernini. He carved a marble mattress on which the figure rests, lending it realism and softness, and incorporated the left foot, thus transforming the work into a Baroque masterpiece.
The sculpture was then sold in the early 19th century by Prince Camillo II Borghese to Napoleon Bonaparte, his brother-in-law, who donated it to the Louvre. A second sculpture, discovered later and belonging to the Borghese Gallery, replaced it in 1807, when the original left the gallery. It was restored in 1774 by the sculptor Andrea Bergondi, who created a bed consisting of a mattress and pillow wrapped in soft drapery.
This ambiguous and mysterious subject captivated travelers, artists, and collectors between the 17th and 19th centuries, embodying the classical ideal that inspired Neoclassicism. During the Grand Tour, cultured travelers aspired to possess the wonders of Roman antiquity. The Hermaphrodite was among the most frequently reproduced subjects: rare, large marble copies were created for the wealthiest, and, above all, smaller-scale copies (bronzes, plaster casts, alabaster) were brought back as souvenirs of great cultural value.
Our specimen is one of the larger copies and dates to the early 19th century. Of exquisite beauty, its execution leaves no detail overlooked. Carved in white Carrara marble, it rests on a Bardiglio marble base.
Dimensions:
L 68 cm
W 32 cm
H 25 cm
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https://internationalantiques.eu/prodotto/sleeping-hermaphroditus-large-neoclassical-white-marble-sculpture/
Sleeping Hermaphroditus, large neoclassical sculpture in white marble, Rome, early 19th century.
The Sleeping Hermaphroditus is a life-size marble sculpture depicting Hermaphroditus, a figure from Greek mythology and the son of Hermes and Aphrodite.
The young body lies gently on its right side, with the pelvis slightly raised and the left leg bent, the foot lifted. The arms are crossed beneath the head, which rests delicately upon them. The figure is nude, partially covered by the fabric on which it rests, which wraps around the calves. The torso appears to be turned in the opposite direction from the body, as if the figure were sleeping unconsciously, revealing on one side the face and the sinuous buttocks, and on the other the ambiguous nature of the male genitals and breasts.
The original model is attributed to the Greek sculptor Polyclitus: it is believed that the Hellenistic bronze version from the 2nd century BCE gave rise to numerous ancient and modern copies. The first example was discovered in the Basilica of Santa Maria della Vittoria in Rome in 1608 and immediately purchased by Cardinal Scipione Caffarelli-Borghese, who added it to his collection.
In 1620, the restoration of the work was entrusted to Gian Lorenzo Bernini. He carved a marble mattress on which the figure rests, lending it realism and softness, and incorporated the left foot, thus transforming the work into a Baroque masterpiece.
The sculpture was then sold in the early 19th century by Prince Camillo II Borghese to Napoleon Bonaparte, his brother-in-law, who donated it to the Louvre. A second sculpture, discovered later and belonging to the Borghese Gallery, replaced it in 1807, when the original left the gallery. It was restored in 1774 by the sculptor Andrea Bergondi, who created a bed consisting of a mattress and pillow wrapped in soft drapery.
This ambiguous and mysterious subject captivated travelers, artists, and collectors between the 17th and 19th centuries, embodying the classical ideal that inspired Neoclassicism. During the Grand Tour, cultured travelers aspired to possess the wonders of Roman antiquity. The Hermaphrodite was among the most frequently reproduced subjects: rare, large marble copies were created for the wealthiest, and, above all, smaller-scale copies (bronzes, plaster casts, alabaster) were brought back as souvenirs of great cultural value.
Our specimen is one of the larger copies and dates to the early 19th century. Of exquisite beauty, its execution leaves no detail overlooked. Carved in white Carrara marble, it rests on a Bardiglio marble base.
Dimensions:
L 68 cm
W 32 cm
H 25 cm
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++DELIVERY AND PAYMENT+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
SHIPPING VIA CARRIER
Payment methods: Bank transfer - Online credit card (including AMEX) - PayPal (+3.7%) - NO checks +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
12 500 €
Period: 19th century
Style: Consulat, Empire
Condition: Excellent condition
Material: Marble
Width: 68
Height: 25
Depth: 32
Reference (ID): 1756752
Availability: In stock
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