My search for the "Dying Gaul"

7/4/2016

When in New York City in mid-June, I made a beeline for the Pergamon Exhibition of Hellenistic art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the great works of art of this period, after the death of Alexander the Great—statuary, finery—gems, glass, gold—and parts of the famous Great Altar of Pergamon (originally located in what is now Turkey) on loan from Berlin. One of my main goals was to see the statue of the “Dying Gaul”— one of the most famous statues in history. Well, there it was—a marble copy of the famous Hellenistic Greek statue. But…this copy was smaller than life size. And it wasn’t the copy I had hoped to see (which is in Rome, not Naples, where this one came from)…My favorite has a torque around his neck. Nevertheless, this timeless statue emanated all the pathos of the original--and clear respect for the fallen warrior.

1 Comment

PHIL link

11/11/2016 03:38:01 am

I don't ever remember seeing this one. Does anyone know anything about it? The pose is slightly different, also the one arm and head position. I have seen the Dying Gaul statue in Rome and it is beautiful, but not all that similar to this statue. Obviously, it would be a Roman copy if it is that old, perhaps a copyist who wanted to make the sculpture his own by slightly altering parts? Is it actually ancient or a later 16th century and/or a later period?

"Art washes away
from the soul the dust
of everyday life."
-Pablo Picasso

Dear Art Lover:
Welcome back!
The pandemic shocked and slowed down the art world for many months. But now, artists, museums and galleries have adapted. They are providing new ways for you to enjoy the work of your favorite classic or new artists...and keep on top of cultural trends and developments.
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April Klimley
February 12, 2021