Description
Although the group seems to represent two wrestlers, the victor's diadem (headband) identifies him as a Ptolemaic king whose victim probably symbolizes unsuccessful Asian or native Egyptian resistance. The image of the triumphant king is inspired by a traditional Egyptian theme, but the naturalistic rendering of the bodies shows Greek influence. The interlocking figures and the pyramidal silhouette are distinctly Hellenistic.






Allegorical Group of Triumphant Ptolemy
Conservation
Date | Description | Narrative |
---|---|---|
1/26/1976 | Treatment | cleaned |
3/08/1982 | Loan Consideration | examined for loan |
5/05/1988 | Treatment | cleaned; loss compensation |
8/21/1989 | Examination | examined for condition |
8/22/1989 | Treatment | repaired |
3/08/1994 | Loan Consideration | examined for loan |
3/11/2004 | Loan Consideration | examined for loan |
10/14/2005 | Treatment | stabilized |
Exhibitions
- From Alexander to Cleopatra: Greek Art of the Hellenistic Age. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. 1988-1989.
- Hellenistic Bronze Exchange with Staatliche Museen zu Berlin Preussischer Kulturbesitz. Staatliche Museen zu Berlin Preussischer Kulturbesitz, Berlin. 1995-1996.
- Ägypten Griechenland Rom: Abwehr und Berührung. Staedtische Galerie Liebieghaus, Frankfurt am Main. 2005-2006.
- Heroes: Mortals and Myths in Ancient Greece. The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore; Frist Center for the Visual Arts, Nashville; San Diego Museum Of Art, San Diego; Alexander S. Onassis Public Benefit Foundation (USA), New York. 2009-2011.
- Pergamon and the Hellenistic Kingdoms of the Ancient World. 2016.
Provenance
Dikran Kelekian, New York and Paris [date and mode of acquisition unknown] [said to be from Kharbia, Lower Egypt]; Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1909, by purchase; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.
Credit
Acquired by Henry Walters, 1909
Creator
- Greek (Artist)
Period
early 2nd century BCE (?) (Ptolemaic)Accession Number
54.1050Measurements
H: 7 11/16 x W: 3 1/2 x D: 4 3/4 in. (19.5 x 8.9 x 12.1 cm). 4.49 lbs (2.036 kg)Geography
- Egypt, Kharbia (Place of Discovery)