Bronze Statue of a Man in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, July 2007

Bronze statue of a man

Period: Hellenistic

Date: ca. mid-2nd-1st century B.C.

Culture: Greek

Medium: Bronze

Dimensions: H. 73 in. (185.4 cm)

Classification: Bronzes

Credit Line: Gift of Renée E. and Robert A. Belfer, 2001

Accession Number: 2001.443

Description:

Honorific statues like this one were typically portraits of prominent individuals awarded by the city-state or ruler in gratitude for significant benefactions. They were the highest honor that a city could offer. This impressive figure stands in contrapposto. His right hand stretches out from the folds of his himation (cloak), with open palm and fingers curled upward in a gesture of oration. His left arm lies close to his body. The himation is kept in place in part by the tasseled weight thrown over his left shoulder, which hangs at his calf, and the indication of his musculature and anatomy continues underneath his garment. The several horizontal bands that decorate the fabric,which may have been painted or gilded, comprise a rare detail.

Text from: www.metmuseum.org/collection/the-collection-online/search/257580