Marble torso of a boy
Copy of a Greek statue of ca. 425–400 B.C.
The small scale and violent action of this figure suggest it may represent one of Niobe's children, who were killed after Niobe boasted she was superior to Leto, mother of Apollo and Artemis, because she had more offspring. Sculptural groups depicting the boys and girls vainly trying to escape the deadly arrows of Apollo and Artemis were popular throughout antiquity.
The small scale and violent action of this figure suggest it may represent one of Niobe's children, who were killed after Niobe boasted she was superior to Leto, mother of Apollo and Artemis, because she had more offspring. Sculptural groups depicting the boys and girls vainly trying to escape the deadly arrows of Apollo and Artemis were popular throughout antiquity.
Artwork Details
- Title: Marble torso of a boy
- Period: Imperial
- Date: 1st or 2nd century CE
- Culture: Roman
- Medium: Marble
- Dimensions: Overall: 21 x 11 3/8 x 6 3/4 in. (53.3 x 28.9 x 17.1 cm)
- Classification: Stone Sculpture
- Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1907
- Object Number: 07.286.108
- Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art
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