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Hermes and Dionysus. Robert Noakes. Key Facts. Made in the 4 th Century BC A Late Classical statue Has been attributed as the work of the sculptor Praxiteles Discovered in 1887, in the ruins of the Temple of Hera, at Olympia Currently in the Archaeological Museum of Olympia
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Hermes and Dionysus Robert Noakes
Key Facts • Made in the 4th Century BC • A Late Classical statue • Has been attributed as the work of the sculptor Praxiteles • Discovered in 1887, in the ruins of the Temple of Hera, at Olympia • Currently in the Archaeological Museum of Olympia • Made of Parian Marble
Form • Hermes stands at around 2.1m tall (3.7m if the base is included) • Holds the baby Dionysus (his brother) in his left arm • Believed that grapes were held in the other hand
Children included S-shaped curve Polished torso and head Detailed folds in the garment Weight on right leg and tree trunk Left leg bent
Praxiteles • Sculptor knew how to use Parian marble • Woodford says: “Praxiteles revealed that marble had qualities which could be used to convey the softness of flesh and radiance of skin” • However the back of Hermes still shows traces of tools, perhaps incomplete? • Extreme level of skill shown in the draping fabric over the tree trunk
Pose • Tree trunk necessary for support • Not a contrapposto stance, as that self contained balance • Woodford describes it as a “Relaxed, languid pose” • “The whole figure is dominated by the swinging figure of curve and counter-curve”
Significance • The inclusion of children/babies in statues is relatively new • Can be seen as proportions of the child are slightly wrong • Intended to be seen from any angle • Head is slightly too small in comparison to the body • Shows a resemblance of the Kritios Boy
Significance • Asymmetrical body • Muscles are well carved and are held “in dynamic equilibrium” • Uses an S-shape for the positioning of the body • Has an asymmetrical face – said to be sad on the left side of his face, and happy on the right side.