Abduction of Polyxena, c. 1855
Pio Fediexpand_more
Plaster, polychromedexpand_more
The William Hood Dunwoody Fundexpand_more 74.25
On View in Gallery 357expand_more
This four-figure plaster model shows the young warrior Pyrrhus abducting Polyxena, the daughter of King Priam of Troy and Queen Hecuba. Pyrrhus was the son of Achilles, and he killed Polyxena to avenge his late father, who was murdered by Priam’s son. At their feet, Hecuba reaches for her daughter in anguish. Ultimately, she was unable to save either Polyxena or her son Polites, who lies dead at the feet of his mother and sister.
Pio Fedi first explored this subject through plaster models like this one. By 1865, he had completed the colossal marble sculpture for the Loggia dei Lanzi in Florence, and the public flocked to his studio to see it displayed alongside its plaster and terra-cotta models.
Details
- Title
- Abduction of Polyxena
- Artist Life
- 1825 - 1892
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 74.25
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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