Narcissus

myminifactory

Narcissus stands as a young hunter returning from a hunt. He pauses, drawn into a pool of water where he becomes captivated by his reflection, which he has never seen before. The beautiful image he sees sparks an intense infatuation, and he cannot tear himself away. This stunning statue may have originally served as the centerpiece for a fountain, showcasing Narcissus gazing intensely into a real pool of water. When discovered in Florence, this magnificent work was mistakenly identified as a statue of Cupid crafted by Michelangelo, which was believed to be lost. For many years after its acquisition by the V&A, it stood as one of the most celebrated works in the Museum due to this mistaken attribution. It has since been correctly identified as an ancient Roman replica of a classic model. The piece underwent extensive recutting in the sixteenth century, with the head added at that time, and is now attributed to the Florentine sculptor Valerio Cioli (ca. 1529 - 1599), who was renowned for restoring classical sculptures. The raised left arm dates back to the nineteenth century. This incredible object is part of "Scan The World", a non-profit initiative launched by MyMiniFactory, through which we are creating a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks and landmarks from around the globe, available for free access to the public. 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 learn how you can be involved. Courtesy of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.