Tiber Dionysus

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Tiber Dionysus
MaterialBronze
Height1.58 meters
Period/cultureRoman, reign of Hadrian (117-138 AD)
Discovered1885
Ponte Garibaldi, Rome, Italy
Present locationMuseo Nazionale Romano
CultureRoman

The Tiber Dionysus is a life-sized Bronze sculpture of the god Dionysus, cast in the lost wax technique.[1]

It was discovered in 1885, during the construction of the Ponte Garibaldi during dredging along the Tiber.[1][2] The bridge itself was dedicated to Giuseppe Garibaldi, considered the father of Italian Unification, and was designed by architect Angelo Vescovali.[3] The Tiber Apollo would soon be discovered close by during further dredging in 1891.[4]

Restored in 1984-1985, with the removal of stucco finishings made shortly after discovery around its legs, it is now currently on display at the National Roman Museum of Palazzo Massimo, under inventory number 1060. [1][2]

Description

Dionysus is depicted as a youth, standing on his right leg, the left bending backward, and his head turned slightly at a right angle.[1][2] His long hair, slightly wavy, locks falling on each side rests on his shoulders.[1] The hair is held in place with a headband colored red, white and blue, and adorned with ivy twigs, and grapes.[1][2] He is seen holding a thyrsus.[1]

It is believed that the statue has a blend of influences from various Greek sculptures, in particular to that of Polykleitos and Praxiteles.[1][2]

According to classical archaeology professor Paul Zanker, Dionysus is modelled after the "Stephanos Athlete" statue, which is known for its long wavy hair, and that the eyes of the sculpture is a typical style to Hadrianic or Antonine style art, which utilizes a blend of various styles from different eras.[1][2][5][6]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Dionysus - My Favourite Planet People". www.my-favourite-planet.de. Retrieved 2023-07-23.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Dionysus; Bronze 117-138 CE, Inv No. 1060". ancientrome.ru. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  3. ^ Ravaglioli, Armando (1997). Roma anno 2750 ab Urbe condita. Storia, monumenti, personaggi, prospettive. Rome: Tascabili Economici Newton. p. 53. ISBN 88-8183-670-X.
  4. ^ "Tiber Apollo | Museum of Classical Archaeology Databases". museum.classics.cam.ac.uk. Retrieved 2023-07-23.
  5. ^ Hannestad, Niels (1974). "P. Zanker, Klassizistische Statuen: Studien zur Veränderung des Kunstgeschmacks in der Römischen Kaiserzeit. Mainz: P. von Zabern, 1974. Pp. xx + 138, 85 pls. DM 168". Journal of Roman Studies. 67: 221–222. doi:10.2307/299966. ISSN 0075-4358.
  6. ^ "Marble statue of the so-called Stephanos Athlete | Roman | Early Imperial". The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Retrieved 2023-07-23.
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