Eros or Hymen leaning against a column.
EROS Selection
Sculpture in the round representing Eros or Hymen. Leaning against a column, the boy sexual winged chubby and
smiling turns his head to the left in a dreamy attitude. Abundant curly hair cap his head round face and chubby. Her
almond eyes are delicately hemmed. Look, without incised pupils, is not directed. The survey includes a left arm
draped, while the right arm missing, should be lifted and brandishing a torch. The wings have a finely detailed
plumage. The combination of torch and draped suggest that it would be Hymen, the god presiding over weddings.
Pindar reports that the young god died during the wedding night and he was crying. The style of this sculpture is
characterized by soft lines, a delicate process, almost Mannerist and tender iconography. These stylistic elements in particular the treatment of the face and eyes - the grace of posture and refinement of the subject evoke the late
Greek statuary. Some authors such as Margaret Bieber talks about "Rococo trends in Hellenistic art" (Rococo
trends in Hellenistic art, in Margarete Bieber, The Sculpture of the Hellenistic Age, New York, Columbia University
Press, 1955, p. 136-156) , referring to the decorative style that flourished in Europe in the years 1730-1745 about,
particularly in France, the term "rococo style."
Grained white marble. H: 51 cm, L: 28.5 cm.
Provenance:
SOCIETE COMMERCIALE D’ANTIQUITES « A LA REINE MARGOT »
509
R.C.S. PARIS B 305 909
7, quai de Conti - 75006 - Paris - Tél. : + 33.1.43.26.62.50 - Fax : + 33.1.43.25.59.82
Numéro intracommunautaire : FR 93305909509
IBAN : FR76 3006 6101 2100 0104 2750 152
E-mail : [email protected] - SITE INTERNET : www.lareinemargot.com
Old private coll., 1970
Exhibitions :
For a similary piece (longer hair), see London, British Museum, inv. n°1831.0101 .1.
Literature:
San Lorenzo fuori le mura, Rome, publ. in Guntram Koch and Helmutt Sichtermann, Romische Sarkophage,
Munich, 1982, pl. 97 ; Marlborough Gem (Hymen driving the procession of Eros and Psyche), Boston, Museum of
Fine Art, in. n°99.101, publ. in Christine Kondoleon et al., MFA Highlights Classical Art, Boston, 2008, p. 91.
SOCIETE COMMERCIALE D’ANTIQUITES « A LA REINE MARGOT »
509
R.C.S. PARIS B 305 909
7, quai de Conti - 75006 - Paris - Tél. : + 33.1.43.26.62.50 - Fax : + 33.1.43.25.59.82
Numéro intracommunautaire : FR 93305909509
IBAN : FR76 3006 6101 2100 0104 2750 152
E-mail : [email protected] - SITE INTERNET : www.lareinemargot.com