The Rape of a Sabine Woman
Statuette
17th century (made)
17th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The Rape of the Sabines is a legend in the early history of Rome. According to that Romulus, the founder of the city, used a trick to secure the future population of Rome. He organised a festival where the neighbouring inhabitants were invited, including the Sabines along with their wives and children. At a certain signal Rome's young men went into the crowd and carried away the unmarried wives. Plutarch has described to this legend the origin of the custom of lifting up a bride and carrying her over the doorstep of her husband's house.
Giambolgna's (1579-1583) 'Rape of the Sabines' is considered his masterpiece, and was interpreted to be related to the legend. His sculpture depicts three figures - a man lifting a woman into the air while a second man crouches - and was carved from a single block of marble.
Giambolgna's (1579-1583) 'Rape of the Sabines' is considered his masterpiece, and was interpreted to be related to the legend. His sculpture depicts three figures - a man lifting a woman into the air while a second man crouches - and was carved from a single block of marble.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | The Rape of a Sabine Woman (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Bronze |
| Brief description | Statuette, bronze, after Giambologna, Italian, probably 17th century |
| Physical description | A Sabine woman is carried away by a man, her arms outstretched, both naked. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Object history | Bought for £1850, in 1957. |
| Production | probably 17th century |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | The Rape of the Sabines is a legend in the early history of Rome. According to that Romulus, the founder of the city, used a trick to secure the future population of Rome. He organised a festival where the neighbouring inhabitants were invited, including the Sabines along with their wives and children. At a certain signal Rome's young men went into the crowd and carried away the unmarried wives. Plutarch has described to this legend the origin of the custom of lifting up a bride and carrying her over the doorstep of her husband's house. Giambolgna's (1579-1583) 'Rape of the Sabines' is considered his masterpiece, and was interpreted to be related to the legend. His sculpture depicts three figures - a man lifting a woman into the air while a second man crouches - and was carved from a single block of marble. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.11-1957 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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