Western Block, Ground Floor

European Bronze

Bronze, an alloy of copper and tin was in use in Europe from remote antiquity. It was used in making various objects, foremost being statues, which started being produced from the 6th century B.C when hollow casting was introduced. The European bronzes statues most of which are copies may be considered under three categories: Mythological sculptures, Historical sculptures and literary personalities.

Few masterpieces that depict the mythological theme that are housed in the museum are: “Laocoon and his two sons” A copy of the famous work of pre-Christian Rhodian sculptors, Athenodorus and Polydorus - the date of which is not clear. This sculpture shows the destruction of the priest Laocoon and his two sons by serpents.

“Mercury resting” A copy of Lysippus, 3rd century BC. The sculpture depicts Mercury, the messenger of Jupiter, resting after his preceding effort, found at Herculaneum in 1758, this bronze sculpture portrays mercury as a youth with a sharp expression and sinuous limbs. “The Medici Venus” one of the most famous representations of Venus, the goddess of beauty, the statue is a copy of an unknown sculpture probably called as Medici Venus.

Coming to the historical figurines the museum houses sculptures like: “Bust of Niccolo Da Uzzano” this was inspired by the colored terracotta made by Donatello, one of the most important sculptors of Renaissance, 15th century Italy. There are copies of bronze versions of Lorenzo De Medici and Giuliano De Medici which were originally made in marble by the one and only Michelangelo (1475-1564). Lastly, we have a replica statue of Moses, the great law giver of Jews, in bronze. The original was carved with great insight and ability by Michelangelo again.

Lastly the museum houses statues of authors and poets like Dante, the author of ‘Inferno’, Shakespeare, the renowned English playwright, La Fontaine, a French poet and fabulist of the 17th century and Moliere, a 17th century French author of satirical comedies.