Ancient Roman statuary at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York: DIADOUMENOS -- IL DIADUOMENOS Giustiniani

Speranza

Marble statue of the Diadoumenos (athlete tying a fillet around his head)
Copy of work attributed to Polykleitos
Period:
Imperial
Date:
1st–2nd century A.D.
Culture:
Roman
Medium:
Marble
Dimensions:
H. without plinth 67 1/4 in. (170.8 cm)
Classification:
Stone Sculpture
Credit Line:
Gift of Mrs. Frederick F. Thompson, 1903
Accession Number:
03.12.8a
This artwork is currently on display in Gallery 153

Copy of a Greek bronze statue of ca. 430 B.C. by Polykleitos

The statue of the Diadoumenos by Polykleitos was extremely popular during the Roman period. Its beauty and fame are mentioned three times in ancient literature and over twenty-five full-size model copies are known.

 

This copy was owned by the Marchese Vincenzo Giustiniani of Rome who, during the first third of the seventeenth century, formed one of the earliest European collections of ancient art.

 

Scholars had not yet identified this statue type as the Polykleitan Diadoumenos, and an incorrect head and arms were added to complete the figure.

 

These have since been removed.