Heroic Torso

 

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Artist
Creation date
Materials
marble
Dimensions
19 x 25 x 16 in.
Credit line
Bequest of Elizabeth Gilbert Fortune in memory of her late husband Robert Patrick O'Riley Fortune
Accession number
2004.89
Collection
Classical
Currently On View In
Leah and Charles Redish Gallery - K312

The colossal size and idealized musculature of this torso indicates that it represents a god or hero, possibly Herakles. Intended for frontal viewing, it was likely placed in a niche in a heroon, a temple for the worship of heroes, or it may have decorated a temple pediment, since the back is unfinished and shows signs of being attached to a larger structure. The highly polished surface, stained with olive oil, indicates that a plaster cast was taken from it, possibly in the early 20th century.

Former collections:

Spink and Sons, London

Robert Hecht, Jr., Rome

The Connaught Gallery, London

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Fortune, Indianapolis (by purchase, 1970)

Spink and Sons, London
Robert Hecht, Jr. (by purchase)
Spink and Sons, London; Tu Connaught Gallery, London (acquired 1970)
Mr. and Mrs. Robert P. Fortune, Indianapolis (by purchase, 1970).
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Greek Art

The colossal size and idealized musculature of this torso indicates that it represents a god or hero, possibly Herakles. Intended for frontal viewing, it was likely placed in a niche in a heroon, a temple for the worship of heroes, or it may have decorated a temple pediment, since the back is unfinished and shows signs of being attached to a larger structure. The highly polished surface, stained with olive oil, indicates that a plaster cast was taken from it, possibly in the early 20th century.