If you are a fan of ancient Greek art, you might have heard of the statue of Hermes of Praxiteles. This magnificent sculpture was created by the famous Greek sculptor Praxiteles during the 4th century BC. The statue depicts the messenger god Hermes in a relaxed pose, with his weight shifted to one leg and his arm resting on a tree trunk.
Despite being one of the most celebrated works of ancient Greek sculpture, the original statue of Hermes by Praxiteles is lost to history. However, there are several copies and variations of this iconic artwork that have survived over time.
One such copy can be found in the Archaeological Museum of Olympia in Greece. This particular statue is known as the “Hermes of Olympia” and is believed to have been created during the 2nd century AD. It is made out of marble and stands at approximately 2.1 meters tall.
The “Hermes of Olympia” shares many similarities with Praxiteles’ original statue. Like the original, this copy shows Hermes in a relaxed pose with his weight shifted to one leg. His other leg is bent slightly at the knee, giving him an air of nonchalance and ease.
The statue’s face is also similar to that of Praxiteles’ original work. Hermes’ hair falls in soft waves around his face and he has a subtle smile on his lips that gives him an approachable and friendly appearance.
One notable difference between this copy and Praxiteles’ original work is that the tree trunk that Hermes leans on has been replaced with a pillar. This alteration was likely made during Roman times when pillars became more popular as decorative elements in sculpture.
Another variation of Praxiteles’ Hermes can be found in the Archaeological Museum in Athens, Greece. This particular statue is known as the “Hermes Carrying Dionysus” or “Hermes and the Infant Dionysus”. It is believed to have been created during the 3rd century BC and is made out of marble.
Unlike the “Hermes of Olympia”, this statue depicts Hermes carrying a young Dionysus in his arms. The statue is also smaller than the “Hermes of Olympia”, standing at approximately 1.8 meters tall.
Despite these differences, there are several similarities between the “Hermes Carrying Dionysus” and Praxiteles’ original work. Like the other copies, this statue shows Hermes in a relaxed pose with his weight shifted to one leg. He also has a similar facial expression with soft, wavy hair falling around his face.
In conclusion, while the original statue of Hermes by Praxiteles may be lost to time, there are several copies and variations that still exist today. These sculptures are testaments to the skill and artistry of one of ancient Greece’s most celebrated sculptors. Whether you visit the Archaeological Museum of Olympia or Athens, you can see these magnificent works for yourself and get a glimpse into the world of ancient Greek artistry.