Lansdowne Hermes
Lansdowne Hermes
Datefirst half of 2nd century CE
Mediummarble
Dimensionsobject: 86 1/4 x 40 x 13 3/8 in. (219.1 x 101.6 x 34 cm)
base: 6 5/8 x 21 11/16 x 26 3/4 in. (16.8 x 55.1 x 67.9 cm)
object weight: 1616 lb. (733 kg)
object with base (including aluminum pallet/steel frame/wood cladding): 1 Ton 180 lb. (988.8 kg)
ClassificationSCULPTURE
Credit LineSBMA, Gift of Wright S. Ludington
Object number1984.34.1
Subject(s)
- mythology
- men
- nudes
- deity
Collection
- Antiquity
Sub-Collection(s)
- Roman
On View
On viewCollections
Label TextDiscovered in 1771 near Rome, this sculpture of the god Hermes is a Roman copy of an earlier Greek work from the fourth century BCE. In ancient times sculptures like this could be found in both public and domestic spaces. After rediscovery, he was displayed at Lansdowne House in London, the home of William Fitzmaurice (1737-1805) who was the British Prime Minister in 1782-83. As the god of travelers, Hermes is shown with a traveler’s cloak draped over his left shoulder and wrapped around his arm. Extensive research conducted by conservators from the J. Paul Getty Museum revealed that the sculpture’s right leg and the palm tree which supports him originally came from a different ancient statue. In past centuries it was common to complete fragmented ancient works by using pieces from other sculptures in this manner.
India, Rajasthan, Mewar
ca. 1720
