The Dying Gaul

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The Dying Gaul is a magnificent marble sculpture from a Roman group of works known as The "Greater Attalid Triumph". Attributed to the esteemed School of Pergamene Baroque, each sculpture showcases an early antiquity style that thrived in the Hellenistic era, where master sculptors excelled at crafting empathetic pieces of 'victim art'. This genre focuses on the suppleness of pose, flowing drapery, and hyper-realistic depictions of agony. Each sculpture in the group vividly depicts various stages of death. The "Dying Gaul" exemplifies a poignant moment, as he gathers himself in his final moments, with sculpted blood oozing from his pierced side. In contrast, other sculptures of the group, including an Amazon and a Giant, lie dead and prone, their marble flesh still quivering with agony. Their bodies are scattered across the floor as if on the field of battle, radiating an extraordinary beauty in suffering that demands pity and admiration from their enemies. Unfortunately, the original sculptures from the dedication have been destroyed, leaving behind only Roman copies of the bronze originals that once adorned Athens. The group was created to commemorate a resounding victory over the Gauls, installed on the Acropolis around 200 BC by Attalus I, King of Pergamon. The original group consisted of approximately 20 statues, although no copies of the victors (Pergemenes, Greeks, and Dionysus) have survived. This remarkable sculpture is part of "Scan The World", a non-profit initiative launched by MyMiniFactory. This pioneering project aims to create a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from around the globe for public access at no cost. Scan The World is an open-source community effort, inviting individuals with interesting items to contribute by emailing stw@myminifactory.com to learn how they can participate.