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anonymous (sculptor)

Clelia crossing the Tiber

  • A.154.face.jpg

Production: 1550 - 1599
Area: Sculpture
Technique(s) : Stone
Dimensions : H. 87 cm ; W. 199 cm ; D.18 cm
Inventory no.: A.154
Photo credit(s) : Lauginie, François

Cartel

This bas-relief from a mantelpiece depicts the young Roman Clelia making her heroic crossing of the Tiber as described by Titus Livius. Her victories against the Etruscan king Porsenna in 507 BC made her a major figure in the early days of the Roman Republic. Delivered as a hostage by the Romans to Porsenna, Clelia managed to escape with other prisoners. The consul sent them back to enemy territory, but the Etruscan king, impressed by the young woman's courage, authorized her to return to Rome with several of her companions. This bas-relief adorned the mantelpiece of a house in rue des Bouteilles. The artist drew his inspiration from the sculpted decor of the Château de Fontainebleau. In particular, he used the figures of the faun and the young girl. The framing of the central scene, originally painted, was intended to give the illusion of a painting surrounded by elements sculpted in bas-relief. The reference to mythology and the visual interplay of painting and sculpture are characteristic of the Mannerist style, also known as the Fontainebleau school in France, where this movement found its greatest expression.

Provenance

Old collection of the Musée d'Histoire et d'Archéologie d'Orléans.

School

France

Location

Museum of History and Archaeology

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