The Youth

myminifactory

The Idolino, or Idolino of Pesaro, stands at an impressive height of 146 cm, its Roman bronze form capturing the essence of a nude youth in perfect contrapposto. Crafted around 30 B.C., this magnificent statue is an exact replica of a Greek sculpture from the style of Polyclitus, created approximately 440 years earlier. The term "Idolino," which translates to "Little Idol" in Italian, was bestowed upon it in the 19th century. The Idolino proudly represents a youth with his right hand extended, showcasing his elegance and poise. Initially mistaken for a statue of Bacchus, it is now widely accepted that this iconic figure once held an oil lamp during dinner parties, adding to its allure and mystique. The Idolino's design was heavily influenced by the renowned Doryphoros of Polyclitus. The base upon which the Idolino rests is an impressive work of art in itself, consisting of bronze and silver materials expertly crafted between 1530-40 by Aurelio, Ludovico, and Girolamo Lombardo. This masterful creation stands at a height of 152 cm, with its front side adorned by an inscription penned by Pietro Bembo. The sides feature vibrant scenes depicting the triumph of Ariadne and the sacrifice of a goat in a Bacchic rite. Its ornate design hints at the structure's origins as an altar. In 1530, the Idolino was unearthed within a Roman villa in Pesaro, subsequently falling into the possession of Francesco Maria I della Rovere, the Duke of Urbino. Miraculously, the statue was preserved almost entirely intact, with only its right hand requiring restoration. A fragmented bronze vine that once held the youth's right hand had been detached; this discovery led to the initial misidentification as Bacchus. In 1630, the Idolino was bequeathed by the Medici family and gifted to Florence in celebration of Vittoria della Rovere and Ferdinand II's wedding. The statue temporarily resided within the Uffizi before a "guest stay" in Palermo from 1800-1803, where it was safeguarded to avoid requisition by Napoleon. Finally, in 1897, the Idolino found its permanent home within the Archaeological Museum of Florence.