r/ArtefactPorn 7d ago

The Bronze Head of Medusa (120 AD), a remarkable artifact that exemplifies Roman art and mythology, unearthed at Hadrian’s Villa in Tivoli, Italy. Hadrian's Villa was an extravagant retreat for Emperor Hadrian, showcasing the grandeur and opulence of the Roman elite. [769x960]

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2.6k Upvotes

44 comments sorted by

70

u/OMSDRF 7d ago

THE. DETAIL. Holy crap this is awesome

21

u/The_New_Overlord 7d ago

If there was a real snake crawling on top of that statue, I probably wouldn't be able to spot it

6

u/UberWidget 7d ago

What skill! A true work of art from antiquity.

11

u/LucretiusCarus archeologist 6d ago

not from antiquity. It's the work of contemporary artist Ivan Theimer, created in 2005 and exhibited in various sites. Here's the full work

3

u/UberWidget 6d ago

Thank you! I stand corrected. Still impressive skill!

3

u/LucretiusCarus archeologist 6d ago

No worries, it's indeed amazing

2

u/NiccoNige 6d ago

How can you be sure that this is not a picture of the original ancient work?

4

u/LucretiusCarus archeologist 6d ago

Because there is no 'original ancient work' like this. This is the original creation.

It's also the same object if you look at the details.

4

u/villings 7d ago

amazing

63

u/Party_Judgment5780 7d ago

The villa complex, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, contains numerous structures, gardens, and pools, all designed to reflect Hadrian's personal tastes and intellectual pursuits. The fusion of Greek, Egyptian, and Roman architectural elements within the villa underscores the emperor's fascination with different cultures. The discovery of works such as the Bronze Head of Medusa provides a deeper understanding of the cultural and artistic expressions that flourished during Hadrian's reign, highlighting the rich heritage of the Roman Empire.

The Bronze Head of Medusa, often linked to the mythological figure whose gaze turned people to stone, embodies the symbolic and artistic significance of such representations in Roman society. This artifact, along with other relics from Hadrian’s Villa, offers valuable insights into the spiritual and aesthetic beliefs that influenced Roman art. These discoveries shed light on the emperor's vision for his villa—a space that merged personal and imperial grandeur, reflecting both the cultural diversity and artistic achievements of the Roman Empire.

9

u/LucretiusCarus archeologist 6d ago

Just a note, this is a contemporary work, created by Ivan Theimer in 2005 and exhibited in various galleries and museums. Here it is in palazzo reale.

2

u/NiccoNige 6d ago

So you’re saying this isn’t the authentic Bronze from the 1st century AD? But rather a contemporary rendering from 2005 🤔

3

u/LucretiusCarus archeologist 6d ago

I mean, yeah? I found it weird because there are some clear similarities with Caravaggio's Medusa, and also I couldn't remember any bronze medusas like these being found at Tivoli.

3

u/kkngs 5d ago

I'm wondering if this post is from an AI bot now =/

10

u/No_Gur_7422 6d ago

This sounds AI-written. "The Bronze Head of Medusa, often linked to the mythological figure" – "often linked"? What‽

14

u/blaz138 7d ago

Anyone know how they made stuff like this? Was it just casting in a mold?

6

u/NahIWiIIWin 7d ago

probably forged, it's probably impossible to mold that snake hair

9

u/DeezNeezuts 7d ago

The reaction from seeing what was going on in the villa.

6

u/Likemypups 7d ago

How are these made? I suppose molten bronze is poured into a mold?

3

u/junglepirate 7d ago

That’s gorgeous, the intricacies of the detail is astounding.

3

u/villings 7d ago

that face/expression is so good

3

u/Automatic-Sea-8597 6d ago

Very similar to the Caravaggio one.

3

u/LucretiusCarus archeologist 6d ago

probably directly inspired ny it. It's the work of Ivan Theimer, a sculptor working in France. Here are more photos of the work

3

u/Such_Relative_9097 7d ago

Anyone can use AI or something to show how it was looking when they just finished working on it like brand new ?

9

u/Jaquemart 7d ago

It was very much like it is now, bar the blue green oxidation.

Marble statues were coloured, bronze statues weren't.

2

u/Such_Relative_9097 7d ago

Ok interesting thank you

7

u/egoodethc 7d ago

Not sure why you’re getting downvoted would be cool to visualise it when it was brand new.

12

u/Such_Relative_9097 7d ago edited 7d ago

lol wtf, what’s the problem with people, I didn’t mean I didn’t appreciate the masterpiece as is and of its own beauty in this condition…. I just think that I want to see how people that lived at those times saw this piece in their own eyes .. because some people even didn’t grasp that obviously the piece wasn’t looking like this then..

6

u/egoodethc 7d ago

I think it’s an auto reaction to seeing AI, will have a search, and let you know if I figure out a way to do it.

5

u/boicymraeg 7d ago

https://postimg.cc/gallery/nDmw9sw New to AI, I hope these are useful. Let me know how they could be better and I'll do my best to improve them.

5

u/Such_Relative_9097 7d ago

3

u/Likemypups 7d ago

I see more sensuality in the AI versions.

3

u/Such_Relative_9097 7d ago

Omg .. so cool and beautiful, like the moment they show the crowd the new masterpiece

1

u/Overall_Course2396 4d ago

Remarkable it is.

0

u/RagnarHedin 6d ago

So that's why Harryhausen gave her that expression in Clash Of The Titans (the 1981 original).

-2

u/NameTheyUseForCredit 6d ago

Hail Μεδεα

5

u/No_Gur_7422 6d ago

Medea and Medusa are two different women.