Marble relief of Hermes, three nymphs, and Acheloös

Unknown

ca. 320–300 BCE · Marble, Island ? · Greek and Roman Art

The relief represents Hermes escorting three nymphs and, at the back, the forepart of the river god Acheloös who is represented in the form of a bull. A mound stands for a rustic altar. The retrospective style of the relief imitates works of the Archaic period (ca. 600–480 B.C.). Numerous votive reliefs of this type, dedicated to Hermes, Pan, and the nymphs, have been found in Greece. In most of these scenes, a grotto marks the locality; this relief is unusual for its architectural frame.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 320–300 BCE

Medium

Marble, Island ?

Culture

Greek, Attic

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Fletcher Fund, 1925