Classical Antiquities
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Torso of Gratia
| Date | early Roman Imperial Period |
|---|---|
| Object type | sculpture |
| Medium, technique | carved, marble |
| Dimensions | height: 51 cm, width: 15 cm, depth: 10.7 cm |
| Inventory number | 54.229 |
| Collection | Classical Antiquities |
| On view | Museum of Fine Arts, Basement Floor, Classical Antiquity, Eros – Dionysos – Thanatos |
The Gratiae/Charites are the followers of Venus/Aphrodite. The name refers to a principal characteristic of the goddess: that mysterious quality which makes someone beautiful and enchanting. The slender body shows a lovely curve. As customary in Graeco–Roman art, the modelling of the pubic area is anatomically imprecise. The back is the principal view of the statue: the torso was the central figure in a group depicting the three Graces. She turns her back, while the two other figures face us, to show – according to an ancient explanation – that the Graces doubly return a person’s kindness.
Marble analyses have shown that the statue was made of white marble of unknown origin.
This record is subject to revision due to ongoing research.
Further artworks from this collection