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Head of a child Harpocrates with a finger in his mouth. Roman Empire, 1st century AD.In marble.
In marble.
Conservation: a piece is missing, at the crown of the head.
Provenance: Mateu Collection started in the 19th century until the middle of the 20th century.
Measurements: 8 x 7,5 x 8 cm.
Head belonging to a complete, free-standing sculpture of an infant, possibly Harpocrates. The little one, with fleshy cheeks and curly hair, has a subtle smile impregnated with tenderness. The half-closed eyelids accompany the sympathetic rictus. The rounded oval helps to emphasise the innocent character of the little boy. The detail in his execution, especially the individualised hair and the expressive firmness of his face, demonstrate the skilful skill of an artist fully trained in sculptural instruction. The Romans brought two important innovations to the world of sculpture: portraiture and historical relief, neither of which existed in the Greek world. However, they followed Greek models for much of their sculptural production, a basis which in Rome was combined with the Etruscan tradition. After the first contacts with Classical Greece via the Magna Graecia colonies, the Romans conquered Syracuse in 212 BC, a rich and important Greek colony in Sicily, which was adorned with a large number of Hellenistic works. The city was sacked and its art treasures taken to Rome, where the new style of these works soon replaced the Etruscan-Roman tradition that had prevailed until then. Cato himself denounced the looting and decoration of Rome with Hellenistic works, which he considered a dangerous influence on native culture, and deplored the Romans' applause of statues from Corinth and Athens, while ridiculing the decorative terracotta tradition of ancient Roman temples. However, these oppositional reactions were in vain; Greek art had subdued Etruscan-Roman art in general, to the extent that Greek statues were among the most coveted prizes of war, being displayed during the triumphal procession of the conquering generals.
In marble.
Conservation: a piece is missing, at the crown of the head.
Provenance: Mateu Collection started in the 19th century until the middle of the 20th century.
Measurements: 8 x 7,5 x 8 cm.
Head belonging to a complete, free-standing sculpture of an infant, possibly Harpocrates. The little one, with fleshy cheeks and curly hair, has a subtle smile impregnated with tenderness. The half-closed eyelids accompany the sympathetic rictus. The rounded oval helps to emphasise the innocent character of the little boy. The detail in his execution, especially the individualised hair and the expressive firmness of his face, demonstrate the skilful skill of an artist fully trained in sculptural instruction. The Romans brought two important innovations to the world of sculpture: portraiture and historical relief, neither of which existed in the Greek world. However, they followed Greek models for much of their sculptural production, a basis which in Rome was combined with the Etruscan tradition. After the first contacts with Classical Greece via the Magna Graecia colonies, the Romans conquered Syracuse in 212 BC, a rich and important Greek colony in Sicily, which was adorned with a large number of Hellenistic works. The city was sacked and its art treasures taken to Rome, where the new style of these works soon replaced the Etruscan-Roman tradition that had prevailed until then. Cato himself denounced the looting and decoration of Rome with Hellenistic works, which he considered a dangerous influence on native culture, and deplored the Romans' applause of statues from Corinth and Athens, while ridiculing the decorative terracotta tradition of ancient Roman temples. However, these oppositional reactions were in vain; Greek art had subdued Etruscan-Roman art in general, to the extent that Greek statues were among the most coveted prizes of war, being displayed during the triumphal procession of the conquering generals.
10th November - Ancient Art
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