The famous statue "Doríforo", one of the most important pieces from the
Naples National Archaeological Museum, will be displayed at the National
Museum of Fine Arts of Buenos Aires, from April 1st to June 30th, 2011.
The sculpture, 2.12 meters high, which is featured in every Art History book, is considered the most complete copy in marble of the famous bronze statue made by Policletus in 440 B.C. It was found in 1797 in the gymnasium of Pompeii "Palestra Sanità".
The sculpture, 2.12 meters high, which is featured in every Art History book, is considered the most complete copy in marble of the famous bronze statue made by Policletus in 440 B.C. It was found in 1797 in the gymnasium of Pompeii "Palestra Sanità".
The work
represents the figure of a naked young man in a walking position. The
right leg firmly planted on the ground, while the left, backward,
touches the ground with his toes. The right arm falls across the body
while his left arm is flexed and holds a spear, now lost. The head is
slightly turned to the right. The harmony and balance of proportions,
the alternation of tension and bending are characteristic of the work of
Policletus, great artist of the bronze, from mid V to early IV century
BC.
Some historians saw in this sculpture the image of Achilles, and others, that of Orestes or Theseus, the hero who defeated the Minotaur.
Recently, attention was drawn to the position of the fingers of his left hand, determining that it did not support a cylindrical shaft but a curved object like the handle of a shield, projecting the image of a young man with a large round shield in his left hand and a sword in his right. From this analysis it appears that these attributes correspond to Theseus, Athenian hero connected with the civil and military training of young Greeks. This interpretation is reinforced by the sites where they where copies of sculptures were found, including arenas and gyms reserved for Roman youth.
"Doríforo" is without doubts one of the most famous works of antiquity, and this Pompeian marble copy of the original bronze statue, despite being rebuilt with the original fragments, has the virtue of being complete. These features led the National Museum of Fine Arts to select this sculpture to represent Italy in Argentina, showing the relationship of a cultural identity based on common roots that secure the friendship between the two countries, and celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Italian unity.
Some historians saw in this sculpture the image of Achilles, and others, that of Orestes or Theseus, the hero who defeated the Minotaur.
Recently, attention was drawn to the position of the fingers of his left hand, determining that it did not support a cylindrical shaft but a curved object like the handle of a shield, projecting the image of a young man with a large round shield in his left hand and a sword in his right. From this analysis it appears that these attributes correspond to Theseus, Athenian hero connected with the civil and military training of young Greeks. This interpretation is reinforced by the sites where they where copies of sculptures were found, including arenas and gyms reserved for Roman youth.
"Doríforo" is without doubts one of the most famous works of antiquity, and this Pompeian marble copy of the original bronze statue, despite being rebuilt with the original fragments, has the virtue of being complete. These features led the National Museum of Fine Arts to select this sculpture to represent Italy in Argentina, showing the relationship of a cultural identity based on common roots that secure the friendship between the two countries, and celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Italian unity.
Location: Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (MNBA). Av. Libertador 1473. Ground floor, Central Hall
Dates and times:
April 1st to June 30th, 2011.
Tuesday to Friday from 12:30pm to 8:30pm
Saturdays and Sundays from 9:30am to 8:30pm
Mondays closed
Admission: free.
