Tiber Dionysus

{{Short description|Bronze sculpture of the god Dionysus}} {{Infobox artifact|name=Tiber Dionysus|image=File:MNR 190 - Dioniso in bronzo da ponte Garibaldi P1200159.jpg|image2=File:Dionysus. Rome, Roman National Museum, Palazzo Massimo alle Terme. (14961681227).jpg|material=Bronze|height=1.58 meters|period=Roman, reign of Hadrian (117-138 AD)|discovered_date=1885|discovered_place=Ponte Garibaldi, Rome, Italy|location=Museo Nazionale Romano|culture=Roman}}The '''Tiber Dionysus''' is a life-sized Bronze sculpture of the god Dionysus, cast in the lost wax technique.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Dionysus - My Favourite Planet People |url=http://www.my-favourite-planet.de/english/people/d1/dionysus.html |access-date=2023-07-23 |website=www.my-favourite-planet.de}}</ref>

It was discovered in 1885, during the construction of the Ponte Garibaldi during dredging along the Tiber.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Dionysus; Bronze 117-138 CE, Inv No. 1060 |url=https://ancientrome.ru/art/artworken/img.htm?id=5400 |access-date=23 July 2023 |website=ancientrome.ru}}</ref> The bridge itself was dedicated to Giuseppe Garibaldi, considered the father of Italian Unification, and was designed by architect Angelo Vescovali.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ravaglioli |first=Armando |title=Roma anno 2750 ab Urbe condita. Storia, monumenti, personaggi, prospettive |publisher=Rome: Tascabili Economici Newton. |year=1997 |isbn=88-8183-670-X |pages=53}}</ref> The Tiber Apollo would soon be discovered close by during further dredging in 1891.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tiber Apollo {{!}} Museum of Classical Archaeology Databases |url=https://museum.classics.cam.ac.uk/collections/casts/tiber-apollo |access-date=2023-07-23 |website=museum.classics.cam.ac.uk}}</ref>

Restored in 1984-1985, with the removal of stucco finishings made shortly after discovery around its legs, it is now currently on display at the National Roman Museum of Palazzo Massimo, under inventory number ''1060.'' <ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />

== Description == Dionysus is depicted as a youth, standing on his right leg, the left bending backward, and his head turned slightly at a right angle.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> His long hair, slightly wavy, locks falling on each side rests on his shoulders.<ref name=":0" /> The hair is held in place with a headband colored red, white and blue, and adorned with ivy twigs, and grapes.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> He is seen holding a thyrsus.<ref name=":0" />

It is believed that the statue has a blend of influences from various Greek sculptures, in particular to that of Polykleitos and Praxiteles.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />

According to classical archaeology professor Paul Zanker, Dionysus is modelled after the "Stephanos Athlete" statue, which is known for its long wavy hair, and that the eyes of the sculpture is a typical style to Hadrianic or Antonine style art, which utilizes a blend of various styles from different eras.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Hannestad |first=Niels |date=1974 |title=P. Zanker, Klassizistische Statuen: Studien zur Veränderung des Kunstgeschmacks in der Römischen Kaiserzeit. Mainz: P. von Zabern, 1974. Pp. xx + 138, 85 pls. DM 168. |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/299966 |journal=Journal of Roman Studies |volume=67 |pages=221–222 |doi=10.2307/299966 |issn=0075-4358|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Marble statue of the so-called Stephanos Athlete {{!}} Roman {{!}} Early Imperial |url=https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/255120 |access-date=2023-07-23 |website=The Metropolitan Museum of Art |language=en}}</ref>

== References ==  {{reflist}}{{Museo Nazionale Romano}}

Category:1885 archaeological discoveries Category:Sculptures of Dionysus Category:Collection of the Museo Nazionale Romano Category:Archaeological discoveries in Italy Category:Hellenistic-style Roman sculptures