Bust of Thucydides

Introduction

Ancient Roman marble sculptures are amongst the finest in any private collection in the world. The collection consists of both life size and greater than life size statues and busts that include, several of the Twelve Olympians, characters from classical mythology, ancient Greek philosophers and ancient Romans of the imperial era, plus other sculptures. Thucydides was a Greek historian who was born in Alimos among the years 460 and 455 B.C and died among 411 and 400 B.C. As with many authors of that time much of the information we identify about him comes from this, his sole work, where we gain our views of his personality and his thoughts on the leaders of Athens. Thucydides notably tells to us the plague of Athens in 430 B.C, which killed virtually a third of the Athenian population plus as well Athens leader Pericles.

Discussion

Most have been repaired to varying extents. The full length statues are mainly displayed in the Statue Gallery along with busts which are also to be found through out the State Rooms.

Matthew Brettingham the Younger dispatched the first consignment of sculptures from Rome in 1749, due to the difficulty in getting permission from the Papal authorities to export the sculpture of Isis the second consignment was not dispatched until 1751. After which sculptures were export annually until the last shipment in the summer of 1754.

The bust of Thucydides dated 100-120 A.D., of Carrara marble 79.5 cm high, purchased by Matthew Brettingham. With only minor repairs this is one of the finest busts of the era to survive. This powerful characterisation presents the historian in late middle age with a strong-boned squarish face with a high broad forehead. Receding temples and bald patch. There are three furrows on the brow make this a convincing portrait.

The goddess Artemis/Diana dated to 190-200 AD, this is believed to be a copy of a mid 4th century B.C. Hellenistic original, with only minor repairs. Purchase in Rome by Thomas Coke on 13 April 1717 for 900 crowns (about £250) Thomas's most expensive purchase. The marble statue is 1.86 metres high, shown wearing a peplos, holding a bow in the left hand, the right hand is reaching for an arrow held in a quiver on the sculpture's back.

Marsyas dated to 180-190 AD, probably a copy of a 2nd century B.C. Greek statue. Originally owned by Cardinal Annibale Albani it was purchased by Matthew Brettingham. The marble statue is 2.01 metres in height. The bearded figure is naked, left elbow leaning on a tree stump, in a contrapposto stance, there is a lion skin knotted across its chest and hanging down the back. The right arm is bent upwards holding a cudgel.

The Empress Livia dated mid-1st century A.D., purchased for 300 crowns by Matthew Brettingham. Made from Parian marble 2.23 metres in height, the statue is contrapposto, dressed in a floor length chiton girt under the breasts, forming an apoptygma or overfold, with short sleeves. A cloak is pulled to the crown of the ...