Herm bust of Olympiodoros
- Artist: Ukjent kunstner
- Creation date: Mellom ca. 30 f.Kr. og 70 e.Kr.
About
The statue of Olympiodoros follows the tradition of Greek portraits of generals and philosophers. In the early third century BC, Olympiodoros was instrumental in protecting his native city of Athens against the Macedonians, and for his valour he was honoured with statues that were placed on the Acropolis already during his lifetime. The herm, which was originally a stone pillar dedicated to the Greek god Hermes, shows Olympiodoros with a trimmed beard and curls, while the face is that of a mature man. This was also common in contemporary representations of philosophers, with which the bust of Olympiodoros shares many traits.
Olympiodoros is portrayed here as a powerful, experienced man. The decision to not portray the model as an idealized youth shows that the artist appreciated the general, whose scrunched-up eyebrows and serious mien signals his care for the well-being of his native city.
The fact that this Roman copy was made centuries after Olympiodoros’ lifetime shows how famous the Greek general and politician was. With its idiosyncratic traits, the bust of Olympiodoros epitomizes Hellenic portraiture, where true-to-life realism was emphasized more greatly than in previous Greek art. In this herm, it is the subject’s close-set eyes, receding hairline, and hair drawn behind the ears that are individualizing traits, even as the beard and furrowed brow identify the general Olympiodoros as a philosopher.
- Creation date:
- Mellom ca. 30 f.Kr. og 70 e.Kr.
- Other titles:
- Hermenbyste av Olympiodoros (NOR)
Kopi etter original fra ca. 300–275 f.Kr. Fra Caesarea, Israel (NOB) - Object type:
- Bust (figure)
- Materials and techniques:
- Finkrystallinsk gulaktig marmor, gul patina, med lag av glimmer
- Material:
- Sten
- Dimensions:
- Height: 50.7 cm
- Width: 31.2 cm
- Other: 24.1 cm
- Depth: 25.4 cm
- Weight: 54.5 kg
- Keywords:
- Visual art
- Classification:
- 532 - Bildende kunst
- Motif:
- Sculpture
- Motif - type:
- Historical scene or person
- Motif - person:
- Olympiodoros (depicted person)
- Inventory no.:
- NG.S.01292
- Cataloguing level:
- Single object
- Acquisition:
- Gave fra Nasjonalgalleriets Venner 1946
- Owner and collection:
- Nasjonalmuseet for kunst, arkitektur og design, The Fine Art Collections
- Photo:
- Børre Høstland
Nasjonalmuseet's collection catalogue is a living resource of information gathered since the 1830's. Some records may contain language or ideas that today could be perceived as outdated, offensive or discriminatory with regard to for instance gender, sexuality, ethnicity or disability, and that may be at odds with the museum's values regarding equality and diversity.
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Other works by Ukjent kunstner
Anton Martin SchweigaardUkjent kunstner1861
PhotographUkjent kunstnerCa 1865
Modern head of an emperorUkjent kunstner1800-tallet?
Campana relief with sacrifice of a bullUkjent kunstnerMellom 30 f.Kr. og 70 e.Kr.
Portrait of a man, Pseudo-Seneca typeMellom ca. 20 og 40 e.Kr
Maleren professor Johann Wilhelm SchirmerUkjent kunstnerUten år
Portrait of Marcus Aurelius, 3rd typeUkjent kunstnerMellom ca. 160 og 180 e.Kr.
River godUkjent kunstnerSen-severisk (mellom ca. 220 og 235)
Mann med tresnutet hattUkjent kunstnerAntagelig 1700-tallet
Statuette of a funerary genius (?)Ukjent kunstnerRomersk keisertid (mellom ca. 30 f.Kr. og ca. 300 e.Kr.)
Portrait of Trajan after Decennalia typeUkjent kunstnerMellom ca. 103 og 117 e.kr.
Modern portrait bust of DomitianUkjent kunstnerMuligens 1800-tallet

















































