Ancient Roman statuary at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York -- STATUA DI MERCURIO (Gift in memory of S. Lorris, 1965)

Speranza

Marble statue of Hermes
Period: Imperial
Date: 1st or 2nd century A.D.
Culture: Roman
Medium: Marble
Dimensions: H. 28.3 cm
Classification: Stone Sculpture
Credit Line: Gift of Mrs. Alice Lorris, in memory of Dr. S. Lorris, 1965
Accession Number: 65.204

Copy or adaptation of a Greek statue of the late 5th or 4th century B.C.

MERCURIO, the Greek messenger god, is identified by his short cloak and the remains of a herald’s staff that is visible along his left upper arm.

Statues like this one, based on Classical Greek prototypes, served as attractive decorative objects in Roman villas while also creating an atmosphere of cultural refinement.