Glimpsing at the Hermes Sculpture, do you ever wonder about its story? The Hermes Sculpture in Berlin is not just a work of art. It is a piece of history, echoing tales from ancient Greece and Rome.
Let me introduce you to this sculpture. It represents Hermes, the messenger of the gods. Hermes was a protector of travellers and an intermediary between gods and mortals.
The Hermes Sculpture before you is one of several copies found across the Graeco-Roman world. This sculpture is linked to a specific type known as the Pergamon type. The first of its kind was discovered by archaeologists and bore an inscription associating it with Alkamenes.
This particular Hermes Sculpture has connections to the ancient city of Pergamon. Pergamon was in Turkey. The original was found in the ruins of a shop near the Upper Gymnasium. It’s believed to have fallen from the House of Consul Attalos.
Imagine the scene in 1903 when it was discovered. The marble herm had fallen into a shop. The shop was on the main street. It was above the Upper Gymnasium on the Acropolis’s southwestern slope.
The original Hermes Sculpture is now housed in the Istanbul Archaeological Museum. It stands 119 cm high. The sculpture is made of marble.
There are replicas like this one here in Berlin. Other copies are in Bergama Archaeological Museum and Akademisches Kunstmuseum in Bonn. These copies allow us to appreciate this art across different locations.
The Hermes Sculpture dates back to the Roman Imperial period around the 2nd or 3rd century AD. It is believed to be a copy of an Archaic-style Hermes Propylaios. Alkamenes created the original in Athens during the 5th century BC.
Herms like this one were common in ancient times. They were tall pillars with the head of a god on top. Hermes and Dionysus were popular choices. They often featured inscriptions and symbols of fertility.
These herms served many purposes. They marked milestones and boundaries. They stood outside temples and public buildings. People believed they had supernatural powers to ward off evil. Hermes was thought to protect travellers.
Look closely at the face of this Hermes Sculpture. The sculpture is often described as mature. It reveals a young handsome face. You can see clear eyes, a straight nose and full lips.
The beard is arranged in vertical rows of wavy curls. Three rows of snailshell curls frame the forehead. Two long locks of hair fall from behind the ears onto the shoulders.
During the Roman period, Greek statues were highly admired. Copies were made for both public and private use. Some preferred modern styles. Others favoured ancient Archaic styles. This Hermes Sculpture reflects that admiration for earlier Greek art.
The inscription on the Pergamon Hermes Sculpture is significant. It says that you will recognise the extremely beautiful statue by Alkamenes. It also mentions Hermes Before-the-Gate.
The phrase Know thyself also features in the inscription. This maxim was well-known from the Temple of Apollo at Delphi. It caused a sensation because of its claim to be by Alkamenes.
Some scholars believed that this sculpture was a replica of the Hermes of the Gateway. The Gateway was at the Propylaia of the Athens Acropolis. Pausanias mentioned this Hermes in the 2nd century AD.
Standing here before this Hermes Sculpture, you are connected to centuries of art. This statue links you to ancient beliefs. You are viewing a piece of history. It bridges the gap between gods and mortals.
Now, as we move on, carry with you the story of Hermes. Remember the echoes of Pergamon and the whispers of ancient sculptors. Let’s continue our journey through Berlin.