Bronze statue of a man
Honorific statues like this one were typically portraits of prominent individuals awarded by the city-state or ruler in gratitude for significant benefactions. They were the highest honor that a city could offer. This impressive figure stands in contrapposto. His right hand stretches out from the folds of his himation (cloak), with open palm and fingers curled upward in a gesture of oration. His left arm lies close to his body. The himation is kept in place in part by the tasseled weight thrown over his left shoulder, which hangs at his calf, and the indication of his musculature and anatomy continues underneath his garment. The several horizontal bands that decorate the fabric,which may have been painted or gilded, comprise a rare detail.
Artwork Details
- Title: Bronze statue of a man
- Period: Hellenistic
- Date: ca. mid-2nd-1st century BCE
- Culture: Greek
- Medium: Bronze
- Dimensions: H. 73 in. (185.4 cm)
- Classification: Bronzes
- Credit Line: Gift of Renée E. and Robert A. Belfer, 2001
- Object Number: 2001.443
- Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art
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1227. Bronze statue of a man
Over life size, this bronze statue of a man is indeed impressive. Imagine how tall it would have stood with its separately attached portrait head. There is a pause in movement and all weight shifts onto the right leg in contrapposto. The left arm is held close at the side, while the right hand stretches out from the folds of the himation. Notice the open palm and how the fingers curl upward as if this individual is in the middle of delivering a speech.
Even without the portrait head, gesture and fabric bring this statue to life. Notice the tension and pull of the wrapped himation, and how the folds around the right leg draw attention to the figure’s well-muscled limbs. Over his round belly, you can see the vertical folds of another lighter garment beneath his cloak. At one time, this statue was the identifiable portrait of a prominent individual, perhaps an orator. A statue like this—the highest of honors—would have been erected by a city or ruler in gratitude for a significant deed or benefaction.
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