The Rape of the Sabines
Statue
19th century (made)
19th century (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
This marble group representing the Rape of the Sabines, is a modern copy of Giambologna's original (including the bronze relief on the pedestal), executed in 1583 for the Loggia dei Lanzi at Florence.
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.
Born in Flanders Giovanni Bologna (1524-1608), or short Giambologna went to Rome to study antique sculpture from about 1550 to 1553. He then travelled through Florence where he was persuaded to stay. He became sculptor to the Medici family and thus became one of the most influential sculptors of the late 16th and early 17th centuries. He drew attention to many artists from Northern Europe and disseminated his style mainly through small bronzes. He established an efficient and large workshop.
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.
Born in Flanders Giovanni Bologna (1524-1608), or short Giambologna went to Rome to study antique sculpture from about 1550 to 1553. He then travelled through Florence where he was persuaded to stay. He became sculptor to the Medici family and thus became one of the most influential sculptors of the late 16th and early 17th centuries. He drew attention to many artists from Northern Europe and disseminated his style mainly through small bronzes. He established an efficient and large workshop.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Parts | This object consists of 4 parts. (Some alternative part names are also shown below)
|
Title | The Rape of the Sabines (generic title) |
Materials and techniques | Marble |
Brief description | Statuette, group, marble, the Rape of the Sabines, modern version of Giambologna's original executed in 1583 for the Loggia dei Lanzi in Florence, Italy, 19th century |
Physical description | This marble group representing the Rape of the Sabines shows a Roman warrior standing over a Sabine man and lifting up a Sabine woman in the air. On the pedestal-front is a relief with various similar scenes. |
Dimensions |
|
Object history | Given by S. Bruzaud, Esq. |
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | This marble group representing the Rape of the Sabines, is a modern copy of Giambologna's original (including the bronze relief on the pedestal), executed in 1583 for the Loggia dei Lanzi at Florence. 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. Born in Flanders Giovanni Bologna (1524-1608), or short Giambologna went to Rome to study antique sculpture from about 1550 to 1553. He then travelled through Florence where he was persuaded to stay. He became sculptor to the Medici family and thus became one of the most influential sculptors of the late 16th and early 17th centuries. He drew attention to many artists from Northern Europe and disseminated his style mainly through small bronzes. He established an efficient and large workshop. |
Bibliographic reference | List of Works of Art Acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum in the Years 1905 - 1908. In: List of Works of Art Acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum, During the Year 1908, Arranged According to the Dates of Acquisition with Appendix and Indices. London: Printed for His Majesty's Stationery Office, by Eyre and Spottiswoode, Limited, 1909, p. 24 |
Collection | |
Accession number | 220:1-1908 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
Record created | June 24, 2009 |
Record URL |
Download as: JSON