Hermes and the Infant Dionysos

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The Ancient Greek Sculpture of Hermes and the Infant Dionysus: A Masterpiece of Praxitelean Style In 1877, a remarkable ancient Greek sculpture was discovered in the ruins of the Temple of Hera at Olympia, Greece. This captivating work of art, known as the Hermes of Praxiteles or the Hermes of Olympia, is an exquisite depiction of the Olympian god Hermes and his infant son Dionysus. The sculpture, measuring 2.10/2.12 meters in height with a base of 3.70 meters, is crafted from high-quality Parian marble. Traditionally attributed to the renowned sculptor Praxiteles, this masterpiece is dated back to the 4th century BC. However, its attribution has been subject to intense debate among art historians. Despite its disputed origins, the sculpture's significance in defining Praxitelean style cannot be overstated. Hermes, the son of Zeus and Maia, is an Olympian god revered for his role as a god of transitions and boundaries. As a messenger and emissary of the gods, he is often depicted as quick-witted and cunning, navigating the realms of mortal and divine with ease. His attributes include protection and patronage of herdsmen, thieves, oratory, wit, literature, poetry, athletics, sports, invention, trade, roads, boundaries, and travelers. Dionysus, on the other hand, is the god of the grape harvest, winemaking, wine, ritual madness, fertility, theatre, and religious ecstasy. His cults have been found in ancient Minoan Crete and Mycenean Greece, with origins dating back to around 1500-1100 BC. As a god of epiphany, Dionysus is often associated with foreignness and his "arriving outsider-god" persona may be an essential aspect of his cults. The sculpture itself is a masterpiece of Parian marble craftsmanship. Hermes' face and torso exhibit a highly polished surface, attributed to generations of female temple workers. The back of the sculpture shows signs of the rasp and chisel, while the rest remains incompletely finished. Traces of cinnabar, a red-colored mercury sulfate preparation, are visible on the hair and sandal straps. Praxiteles, the renowned sculptor from Athens, was the son of Cephisodotus the Elder. He is credited with creating the first life-size nude female statue. Despite no indubitably attributable sculpture by Praxiteles existing today, numerous copies of his works have survived, and several authors have written about his masterpieces. Coins engraved with silhouettes of his famous statuary types are still in existence. The supposed relationship between Praxiteles and his beautiful model, the Thespian courtesan Phryne, has inspired artistic interpretations ranging from painting to comic opera. Some writers have speculated about a possible connection between Praxiteles and his contemporary Pheidias or even his grandson. However, there is no certain evidence to support these claims.