The so-called Bacchus-Hermaphroditus
The so-called Bacchus-Hermaphroditus
Published 2019-03-08T14:39:23+00:00
This is a depiction of the Greek god of wine and pleasure, Dionysus, as Hermaphroditus. In Greek mythology, Hermaphroditus was the son of Aphrodite and Hermes, who was born a remarkably handsome boy. The water nymph Salmacis fell in love with him and prayed to be united forever, so a god, in answer to her prayer, merged their two forms into one and transformed them into an androgynous form. His name is compounded of his parents' names, Hermes and Aphrodite, and he is often represented as a female figure with male genitals.
The head is a Roman copy of an older Greek original and is attributed to Praxiteles, a renowned Attic sculptor from 4th century BC. It is of the "turning satyr" type.
Date published | 08/03/2019 |
Title | The so-called Bacchus-Hermaphroditus |
Date | 2nd century AD, head is a copy of a Greek original from 4th century BC |
Record | https://www.museoarcheologiconapoli.it/en/ |
Artist | Attributed to Praxiteles |
Place | Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli |