Milo of Croton
Statuette
ca. 1750 (modelled)
ca. 1750 (modelled)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This statuette is based on a marble sculpture by Pierre Puget, completed in 1682. Although the V&A sculpture is made of terracotta (fired clay), the surface has been painted to resemble bronze, a much more expensive material, so the end result would have been intended to look like bronze - at least from a distance.
Milo of Croton was a legendary athlete of great strength who lived at Croton in Southern Italy in the 6th century BC. Legend has it that on seeing an oak tree partly split open with a wedge he tested his strength once more by trying to wrench it apart, but the wedge fell out, his hands were trapped, and he was devoured by wild beasts.
Milo of Croton was a legendary athlete of great strength who lived at Croton in Southern Italy in the 6th century BC. Legend has it that on seeing an oak tree partly split open with a wedge he tested his strength once more by trying to wrench it apart, but the wedge fell out, his hands were trapped, and he was devoured by wild beasts.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Milo of Croton (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Terracotta, made from modelled clay |
| Brief description | Statuette, terracotta, Milo of Croton, France (probably Paris), ca. 1750, painted to imitate bronze |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Given by Dr W. L. Hildburgh FSA |
| Object history | Given by Dr. W. L. Hildburgh, F. S. A., 1952. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | This statuette is based on a marble sculpture by Pierre Puget, completed in 1682. Although the V&A sculpture is made of terracotta (fired clay), the surface has been painted to resemble bronze, a much more expensive material, so the end result would have been intended to look like bronze - at least from a distance. Milo of Croton was a legendary athlete of great strength who lived at Croton in Southern Italy in the 6th century BC. Legend has it that on seeing an oak tree partly split open with a wedge he tested his strength once more by trying to wrench it apart, but the wedge fell out, his hands were trapped, and he was devoured by wild beasts. |
| Bibliographic reference | Trusted, Marjorie, ed. The Making of Sculpture. The Materials and Techniques of European Sculpture. London: 2007, p. 43, pl. 70 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.9-1952 |
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| Record created | April 12, 2005 |
| Record URL |
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