ANTINOUS. ANTIQUE STATUE. WE have frequently had occasion to remark how much the statues of this young favorite of Adrian were multiplied, in conformity to the orders of that prince. To throw an appearance of truth in this series of portraits, and to reflect greater honour upon Antinoüis, he has been decorated with the attributes of several divinities. The statue before us is accompanied with those which designate, in a peculiar manner, the renowned Hercules. One foot with one arm directed towards Heaven, Antinous lets the other fall upon his club covered with a lion's skin. Did we not advert to the extreme resemblance of the head with those which represent Antinoüs, we might imagine that the artist was desirous of depicturing Iole, the companion of Hercules, who, in some ancient monument, bears, like that god, the lion's skin and the club. This statue is colossal. The execution is firm and dignified, and characterizes the sculpture of the time of Adrian; an epoch in which art produced chefd'œuvres, little inferior to those of the days of Pericles and Alexander. The head is very fine; the hair braided with grace and of exquisite workmanship. This statue could only be raised from the earth in detached pieces, it |
