The prototype for this statue was a bronze original, possibly the work of Kalamis, dating to 440-430 BC. The statue shows a mythological heroine seated on an altar. It is difficult to establish her identity, since the attribute she once held in her right hand has been lost. The composition of the sculpture does not help to solve the question, since no established iconography existed for depicting the heroines. But the elegaic pose and the sandal which has been removed from the foot give an indication of a love story. This might suggest that the subject was Danae - the daughter of Acrisius, king of Argos - awaiting Zeus who fell in love with her. The Hermitage work was produced by a Roman sculptor in the second half of the 2nd century AD and possibly once had a portrait head (which was made separately) and served as a funerary sculpture.
Information about the original:
Title:
Statue of Danae (?)
Place:
Material:
Dimensions:
height: 75 cm
Acquisition date:
Entered the Hermitage in 1887; originally in the Princess Golitsyn collection
Inventory Number:
ГР-5593
Category:
Collection:
