A Roman Marble Torso of Narcissus

myminifactory

Narcissus, the son of the river-god Kephisos and the nymph Leiriope, was prophesied a long life by the seer Teiresias, provided that he never gazed upon himself. The youth was famed for his beauty, and many tried in vain to win his love. One rejected lover asked Nemesis for revenge, and she granted the wish. While out hunting, Narcissus came to a spring for a drink, and when he saw his reflection in the water, he instantly fell in love with his own image. Unable to pull himself away from his reflection, he died, either from exhaustion, unrequited love, or drowning. This sculpture belongs to a type which depicts Narcissus with his arms raised above his head and folded, with strands of hair brushing his shoulders. See B. Ruhl, op.cit., add. 6a. b, for another example of the type. A cast of this sculpture was made when the piece was exhibited in Basel and is now on display in the Skulpturhalle at the museum (Inventory no. SH 1429).