Saturday, June 4, 2016

Ancient Statues Displayed in Papal Rome

Joseph Asselyn
Statues of Castor and Pollux (from behind) on the terrace of the Capitol
ca. 1625-52
drawing
British Museum

Louis Ducros
Statues of Castor and Pollux (from behind) on the terrace of the Capitol
mid-18th century
watercolor
British Museum

"In the 1550s Michelangelo designed a balustrade for the open side of the piazza. Flanking the top of the steps are colossal sculptures of the twin heroes Castor and Pollux with their horses. They are much restored late Roman works that were found in the 16th century in the Ghetto (where a temple to them once stood). Beside them on the balustrade are two Roman sculptures modeled on the enemy arms and armor which used to be displayed as trophies in triumphs held in honor of victorious generals after battle. They have been known for centuries as the 'Trophies of Marius' since it was traditionally thought that they depicted the war booty of General Marius after his victory over Germanic tribes in 101 BC, but in fact they date from the time of Domitian (late 1st century AD). The statues of the Emperor Constantine and his son Constantine II came from the baths of Constantine on the Quirinal, and the two columns were the first and seventh milestones of the Via Appia."

 from The Blue Guide to Rome (2010)

Cornelis Bloemaert
Statue of Venus from the Giustiniani Collection
ca. 1642
engraving
British Museum

Sir Thomas Reeves
Antique statue of Meleager
ca. 1744-88
etching
British Museum

GĂ©rard Scotin
Capitoline Antinous
1745
etching, engraving
British Museum

Pietro Antonio Pazzi
Antique statue of Zeus
18th centuiry
engraving
British Museum

Anonymous artist
Antique statue of Hygieia at the Vatican
ca. 1768-1805
drawing
British Museum

Anonymous printmaker
Antique statue of woman with lyre
ca. 1550-60
engraving
British Museum

Anonymous artist
Antique statue of woman with wreath
18th century
drawing
British Museum

attributed to Vincenzo Pacetti
Antique statue of Artemis at the Vatican
ca. 1768-1805
drawing
British Museum

Vincenzo Pacetti
Antique statue of a reclining nymph
ca. 1775-1805
drawing
British Museum

Anonymous artist
Discophorus at the Vatican
ca. 1768-1805
drawing
British Museum

Johann Carl Bock
Apollo Belvedere
ca. 1800
stipple-engraving and etching
British Museum

Abraham Bosse
Circumference measurements of the Venus de' Medici
1656
etching
British Museum