Dying Achilles in The Achilleion, Corfu

myminifactory

This massive marble sculpture of Achilles captures the character of Homer's Iliad as he dies after being struck by an arrow that pierces his heel - his only vulnerable spot since being dipped in the River Styx as a child. Note Achilles' gaze upwards, seeking help from Olympus; his mother Thetis was a goddess. The sculpture was commissioned by the owners of its location (The Achilleion) to German sculptor Ernst Herter, created in Berlin in 1884 as inscribed on the statue. It serves as the centerpiece for the Achilleion Gardens. Achilleion is a palace built in Gastouri, Corfu, by Empress of Austria Elisabeth of Bavaria, also known as Sisi, after a suggestion from Austrian Consul Alexander von Watzberg. Elisabeth was a woman consumed by beauty and incredibly powerful but tragically vulnerable since the loss of her only son, Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria in the Mayerling Incident in 1889. A year later in 1890, she built a summer palace in the region of Gastouri (Gastouri), now the municipality of Achilleion, about ten kilometers to the south of the city of Corfu. The palace was designed with the mythical hero Achilles as its central theme. Corfu was Elisabeth's favorite vacation spot and she built the palace because she admired Greece and its language and culture. Achilleion's location provides a breathtaking view of Corfu city to the north, and across the entire southern part of the island. This object is part of "Scan The World". Scan the World is a non-profit initiative introduced by MyMiniFactory, through which we are creating a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from around the globe for public access free. Scan the World is an open-source community effort; if you have interesting items nearby and would like to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to find out how you can help.