Knowra Hermes and the Infant Dionysus Hermes and the Infant Dionysus An ancient Greek marble statue found at Olympia shows Hermes holding the infant Dionysus. It is traditionally attributed to Praxiteles, though its date and authorship remain debated.
Hermes : A Greek god associated with travel, trade, communication, boundaries, and the movement of souls. Hermes is the adult figure shown carrying Dionysus.
Temple of Hera at Olympia : An ancient Greek temple at Olympia dedicated to Hera, one of the sanctuary’s oldest monumental buildings. The statue was found in this temple during excavations.
Contrapposto : A sculptural stance in which weight rests chiefly on one leg, producing an asymmetrical balance through the body. Hermes’s relaxed posture is often discussed through this principle of weight shift.
Hermes carrying the infant Dionysus : A recurring subject in Greek art depicting Hermes transporting the young Dionysus to safety. Other depictions of the same myth help distinguish this statue’s specific composition.
Dionysus : A Greek god associated with wine, theater, ritual ecstasy, and altered states. The infant in the statue is the god Dionysus.
German Archaeological Institute : A research institution founded in 1829 that conducts and supports archaeological study, especially around the Mediterranean. Its excavations at Olympia uncovered the statue in 1877.
Chiaroscuro : The use of strong contrasts between light and dark to make forms appear three-dimensional. The statue’s polished surfaces and deep folds shape its changing play of light.
Hermes and the infant Dionysus in the Louvre : A Roman marble relief in the Louvre depicting Hermes with the infant Dionysus. The relief offers a distinct treatment of the pair from the Olympia statue.
Praxiteles : A Greek sculptor of the fourth century BCE, traditionally credited with several celebrated statues. The statue’s conventional attribution connects it to his sculptural style.
Olympia excavations : Archaeological investigations of the ancient sanctuary at Olympia, conducted by Greek and foreign teams. The 1877 excavation brought the statue to scholarly attention.
Show all 20