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Ercole Rosa
Frine (Phryne), 19th Century Large Marble Sculpture of Nude Woman

19th Century

About the Item

Ercole Rosa (Italian, 1846 - 1893) Frine (Phryne) Marble Signed 'E. Rosa, Studio O. Andreoni, Roma' on back 34.5 x 12 x 10 inches 80 lb. Phryne was a 4th century BC famous Greek hetaira. Born Mnesarete, she was called Phryne (toad in Greek) because of her yellow, sallow complexion. From Thespiae in Boeotia, she was active in Athens, where she became one of the wealthiest women in Greece. Mistress to Praxiteles, he used Phryne as the model for the Aphrodite of Knidos. The statue became so widely known that it was said anecdotally that the goddess Aphrodite herself came to Knidos to see it. She is best known for her trial for impiety, where she was defended by the orator Hypereides. Charged with blasphemy by her former lover Euthias, Phryne was acquitted after baring her breasts to the jury, according to legend. Ercole Rosa was a 19th century Italian sculptor. Ercole was born in Rome to a stonemason of limited means. As a boy, Ercole was employed by his father making small terracotta figurines, which were sold. The Bishop of San Severino, from where the family originated, sponsored the boy's education at the Academy of St Luke in Rome. Erocle by 1861 was working as an aide for various sculptors in town. In 1867, he fought with the troops of Garibaldi at the Battle of Mentana. Six years later he exhibited at the Fine Arts Exhibition, a sculptural group depicting the Brothers Cairoli. A bronze work was commissioned by the City of Rome and placed in a prominent spot in the Pincian Gardens, overlooking the center of Rome. After this work, he gained major commissions: he labored for 12 years to complete the Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II, Milan, which was inaugurated in 1896 posthumous to his death. Among his other works were the statues in the facade of the Palazzo delle Finanze of Rome, the Diana the hunter; the large bust of Alessandro Manzoni in the Roman Galleria nazionale d'arte moderna e contemporanea; the Bust of Bartolomeo Eustachi in the city hall of San Severino; a bust of Nicola Fabrizi and Garibaldi.
  • Creator:
    Ercole Rosa (1846 - 1893, Italian)
  • Creation Year:
    19th Century
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 34.5 in (87.63 cm)Width: 12 in (30.48 cm)Depth: 10 in (25.4 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Beachwood, OH
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU1768215755562

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