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Statuette of Hermes

Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek

Summary

Statuette of Hermes standing against a pillar. He is rendered naked, except from a cloak worn over the shoulders and boots.

Description of object

The statuette is well-preserved, with only a few fingers on the right hand missing. The statuette is identified with Hermes due to the characteristic broad-rimmed hat, petatos, which he is wearing. Here, Hermes is portrayed naked, only wearing a cloak and boots. He is standing against a pillar with his right arm raised in a greeting gesture, while the left arm is extended and slightly reaching out with the palm pointing upwards.

Choice of methods

Visual examination

  • Macroscopic

Technical imaging

  • UV
  • VIL
  • Lead-isotope analysis

Sampling

  • XRF

Visual examination

The skin of the Hermes statuette is painted in a red colour, while his boots show traces of a greyish paint.

Bibliography

J. Christiansen, M. Moltesen & J. S. Østergaard (1992), Campania, South Italy and Sicily. Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Copenhagen, 106, cat. no. 82.

  • HIN 423a
  • Statuette
  • 1st half of the 3rd century BC
  • Hellenistic
  • Painted terracotta
  • Acquired in Rome in 1912 and belongs with a Canosan grave-vase (However, not HIN 423 as previously presumed as the figure is too large) and another similar statuette (HIN 423b).
  • H. 22.5 cm

Selected photos

  • Hin423a_t_0
  • Hin423a_t_180
  • Hin423a_uv_t_0
  • Hin423a_uv_t_180
  • Hin423a_vil_t_0
  • Hin423a_vil_t_180

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Hin423a_t_180
  • Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Munsell Color X-rite
  • Adobe Photoshop C53 and Lightroom 2.7