Bronze centaur

Unknown

late 5th century BCE · Bronze · Greek and Roman Art

During the fifth century B.C., centaurs appeared in many monumental representations, especially in Athens. The decoration of the Theseion included large wall paintings depicting not only Greeks fighting Amazons but also centaurs fighting Lapiths. The sculptures of the Parthenon featured centaurs as well. The boulder included in this work suggests that the source of inspiration was the myth of Kaineus, a Lapith invulnerable to man-made weapons, who could only be overcome by being beaten into the ground with trees and stones.

Artist

Unknown

Date

late 5th century BCE

Medium

Bronze

Culture

Greek

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Bequest of Walter C. Baker, 1971