£43,800.00
incl. VAT plus Shipping Costs
Delivery time: 2 weeks. Deliveries to Scotland: 3 weeks. Free delivery in England, Scotland & Wales (except islands)
USA delivery click here
The Hermes of the Museo Pio-Clementino is an ancient Roman sculpture that belongs to the Vatican collections in Rome. It was long admired as the Belvedere Antinous. However, the idealised face is probably not that of Antinous, the lover of Emperor Hadrian. The cloak known as the chlamys, which is thrown over the left shoulder and wrapped around the left forearm, and the relaxed contrapposto identify the sculpture as a Hermes. Today, the sculpture is considered to be a Hadrianic copy (early second century AD) of a bronze by Praxiteles or one of his pupils. The sculpture was purchased for Pope Paul III in 1543. It was probably found in a garden near Castel Sant’Angelo.
After its discovery, the statue immediately became famous as Antinous Admirandus: it was mentioned in all reports on the antiquities to be seen in Rome. Generally admired, it was made in bronze and marble for Fontainebleau in the sixteenth century and Versailles in the seventeenth century. Further bronze and marble copies found their way into the collections of Charles I of England, Louis XIV of France and Peter the Great, among others. Further casts can be found in many European art academies.
Poussin saw the statue as an aesthetic canon of ideal proportions. Gérard Audran included the sculpture in his collection of engravings intended for young sculptors in 1683. Winckelmann recognised it as a “first-class” statue and admired the head, “undoubtedly one of the most beautiful heads of a young man from antiquity”, even though he criticised the elaboration of the feet, stomach and legs.
The life-size replica of the antique statue, which you can buy in our online shop, is based on the 19th century plaster cast of the original in the Roman Museo Pio-Clementino. In addition to the classic bronze cast, you can buy the Belvedere Hermes antique statue as a replica in two other moulds. The marble cast made from powdered genuine white marble. And the new moulding of the statue by sculptors from a single block of white marble. If you are interested in such a mould, please do not hesitate to contact us. We look forward to receiving your e-mail or phone call.
We offer two exceptional patina options for bronze statues. The first is the classical patina, which beautifully captures the natural weathered appearance of bronze. Since the rediscovery of ancient life-sized bronzes, this patina has become the preferred choice and is available in up to three popular variations.
For enthusiasts seeking an authentic, antique aesthetic, we present a groundbreaking innovation: a faithfully recreated surface finish that matches precisely what the ancient audience would have admired. Thanks to the spectacular research findings published by the Louvre Museum in late 2022, we are now able to replicate the surface of ancient life-sized bronzes with remarkable accuracy. The multi-year study of the Charioteer of Delphi, conducted using cutting-edge technology, revealed that the statue, aside from minor details such as the eyes, headband, and belt, once displayed a high-gloss, golden sheen reminiscent of subtly shimmering gold leaf. It is therefore highly likely that renowned ancient sites, such as Delphi, Olympia, and Delos, presented themselves to ancient visitors with bronze statues gleaming in golden splendour.
This effect was achieved through the use of bronze with a 10% tin content. Armed with this scientifically substantiated knowledge, we can now offer an authentically recreated, antique surface for our reproductions of ancient life-sized bronzes – a level of precision that was unattainable prior to these 2022 research advancements.
Each statue cast by us is engraved in the base with a serial number, date of manufacture and our company logo. The base is also engraved with your name, a lettering, the occasion of production, your own company logo or additional engraving as required.
Our life-size cast bronze replicas are therefore not only artistic replicas, but also timeless reminders that will preserve your legacy for generations to come. By engraving your name, the date and the occasion on the base, this statue becomes an everlasting symbol of your most personal life achievement, your significance in this world and your work there.
Ancient Greek bronze statues and their masterfully crafted Roman marble replicas were the sensual and visual mirror of these two advanced civilisations for over a millennium. After their rediscovery during the Renaissance, these statues once again became world-famous and symbolised the emergence of modernity. The statue made for you and with your name as the donor will forever be a reminder of your personality and achievements in the ancient traditions of Delphi and Rome.
In exceptionally designed gardens and parks, alongside high horticultural artistry and exceptionally beautiful design, the use of top-notch furnishings often shines. Whether it’s furniture or statues and sculptures. Now original antique statues are not or very rarely available for sale. Since their rediscovery in the Renaissance, costly replicas have such been made for castles, their parks, and concurrently for the mansions of the bourgeoisie who have attained great wealth. During this time, a canon for the placement and positioning of these artworks formed and developed into modern times. In our online shop, you’ll find an overview of particularly beautiful locations for ancient statues. Additionally, we provide you with an overview of some publicly accessible gardens and parks, each boasting an impressive collection of ancient sculptures, along with specific details on where each statue can be seen.
Item No. | S14 |
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Material | Bronze cast |
dimension (height x width x depth) | not available |
What you receive | Single piece, Bronze cast. The exact design details, measurements and weight as well as the structure and colour of the Bronze cast may vary. |
Delivery | Delivered using our own van |
Delivery Charge | Free delivery in England and Wales (except islands) and to a few EU countries. Click here for details. |
Price incl. VAT | £43,800.00 |