Hellenistic art
Portrait of Demosthenes
Sculpture
Roman copy of an original by Polyeuktos (first half of the 3rd century B.C.)
Pentelic marble
This portrait of the famous Greek orator derives from an original created by Polyeuktos around 280 B.C. for the Agora in Athens. That statue, known through a large number of copies made in Roman times, showed Demosthenes on his feet, wrapped in flowing drapery that left his right shoulder bare. His eyes looked downward and his hands were clasped together in front of his body, in an attitude of intense concentration.
Location: Second floor > Rooms 7-8 - Hellenistic Art
Provenance:
Purchased in Rome
Inventory:
Inv. MB 140