A 19TH CENTURY CARRARA MARBLE BUST OF ANTINOUS
19TH CENTURY CARRARA MARBLE BUST OF ANTINOUS,
with socle base and on a pink marble cylindrical column and square base, 186 cm high overall
Antinous was the male lover of the Roman Emperor Hadrian (AD76-138). In the Roman world, the concept of homosexuality was different to how it is understood today. Same-sex love found its precedent in Greek culture, in which relations between a younger and older man were seen as a valuable experience, and almost right of passage. In Rome there was no clear distinction between heterosexual and homosexual love, and the relationship between Hadrian and Antinous, the Grecian youth from the city of Bythinion-Claudiopolis in modern Turkey, must be viewed within this context.
Relatively little is known about Antinous' life, aside from the fact that Hadrian toured Asia Minor in AD 123 and may have been introduced to the young man during this time. Many theories have surrounded his death on the Nile, including forced suicide by jealous courtiers and ritual sacrifice, though Hadrian maintained it was an accident. Whatever the explanation behind his death, at 19 Antinous was becoming a man, and therefore his relationship with the Emperor was untenable. The effect of Antinous' death was profound. Hadrian established a city in Egypt Antinoopolis in his honour and even encouraged his veneration as a deity.
Provenance: The William Mowat-Thomson Collection
Condition reports indicate issues visible to the naked eye. Whilst every effort is made to provide accurate and honest condition reports, none of our staff is a professional conservator or restorer. Any condition report offered should be accepted as an indication of any obvious issues or problems or the lack of them. The condition report does not form part of any contract between McTear's and the buyer, and all lots are offered "as is" in accordance with our Terms of Business in the printed catalogue and available on our website.
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19TH CENTURY CARRARA MARBLE BUST OF ANTINOUS,
with socle base and on a pink marble cylindrical column and square base, 186 cm high overall
Antinous was the male lover of the Roman Emperor Hadrian (AD76-138). In the Roman world, the concept of homosexuality was different to how it is understood today. Same-sex love found its precedent in Greek culture, in which relations between a younger and older man were seen as a valuable experience, and almost right of passage. In Rome there was no clear distinction between heterosexual and homosexual love, and the relationship between Hadrian and Antinous, the Grecian youth from the city of Bythinion-Claudiopolis in modern Turkey, must be viewed within this context.
Relatively little is known about Antinous' life, aside from the fact that Hadrian toured Asia Minor in AD 123 and may have been introduced to the young man during this time. Many theories have surrounded his death on the Nile, including forced suicide by jealous courtiers and ritual sacrifice, though Hadrian maintained it was an accident. Whatever the explanation behind his death, at 19 Antinous was becoming a man, and therefore his relationship with the Emperor was untenable. The effect of Antinous' death was profound. Hadrian established a city in Egypt Antinoopolis in his honour and even encouraged his veneration as a deity.
Provenance: The William Mowat-Thomson Collection
Condition reports indicate issues visible to the naked eye. Whilst every effort is made to provide accurate and honest condition reports, none of our staff is a professional conservator or restorer. Any condition report offered should be accepted as an indication of any obvious issues or problems or the lack of them. The condition report does not form part of any contract between McTear's and the buyer, and all lots are offered "as is" in accordance with our Terms of Business in the printed catalogue and available on our website.
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