Marble torso of Eros

Praxiteles

1st or 2nd century CE · Marble · Greek and Roman Art

Roman copy of Greek original. Adaptation of a Greek bronze statue representing the Apollo Sauroktonos (Lizard Slayer) of ca. 350 B.C. by Praxiteles. The delicately modeled surface and sinuous curve of this torso are typical of the style of Praxiteles. The original bronze statue showed the young Apollo leaning against a tall tree trunk and holding an arrow; he was poised to slay a lizard climbing up the tree. The Romans did not hesitate to alter and adapt famous Greek works. Here, Apollo has been transformed into Eros, as can be seen by the remains of wings on his back.

Artist

Praxiteles

Date

1st or 2nd century CE

Medium

Marble

Culture

Roman

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Fletcher Fund, 1924