Sculpture

Fully sculpted marble statuette of a nude, bearded male hero, probably Heracles. The male figure is depicted with a powerful, athletic build. A broad chest, pronounced abdominal muscles, and strongly modeled thighs define the frontal view. The anatomical forms are clearly articulated, yet modeled with soft, flowing contours. The head is turned slightly to one side. The face has a prominent brow, large eyes, a strong nose, and a small mouth. Short hair, worked in individual wavy locks, frames the head. The cheeks and chin are framed by a short beard. The depiction draws on the ancient iconography of Heracles, or Hercules, who was regularly shown as a strong, nude, and often bearded hero. As both arms are missing, characteristic attributes such as the club or lion skin have not survived. The identification as Heracles is therefore probable, but not definitively established. The figure is sculpted in the round. The back also shows the modeling of the back, waist, buttocks, and legs, as well as the careful rendering of the back of the head and the hair. Condition Preserved in fragmentary form. Both arms are missing from the upper-arm area. The legs are broken off below or at the knees; the lower legs and feet are missing. Older, irregular break surfaces are visible at the fracture points. Partial discoloration and deposits, as well as surface marks resulting from age or storage. Minor chips and abrasion are present. The head, face, torso, and large parts of the thighs are preserved. The principal anatomical and sculptural details are clearly visible. Mounted on a modern black metal stand. Classification The design clearly references Greek and Roman ideal and heroic sculpture. The treatment of the body, bearded head, and emphatically athletic anatomy suggest a depiction of Heracles. However, an ancient date cannot be confirmed on the basis of the photographs available. The piece is therefore deliberately described as a marble statuette after an ancient model and is not dated as Greek or Roman antiquity without further examination.

Estimation:200€

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