Statuette of Jupiter

1st century A.D.

Medium

Silver

Dimensions

17.5 cm

Status

In Museum Collection

Collect24 Art ID

C24-240819

Wealthy Romans often kept statuettes of the gods made from precious metals like gold and silver in a lararium (household shrine) as objects of personal devotion. The power and majesty of Jupiter, the king of the gods (Zeus to the Greeks), shines through even on this damaged silver statuette. Both forearms of the statue are missing, along with the identifying attributes they once held. Yet, scholars can reconstruct the original appearance of the statuette, since Roman artists created numerous copies of popular statues. Jupiter's raised left hand once clasped the top of a tall scepter, and he held a thunderbolt in his lowered right hand. This statue demonstrates the Roman fondness for eclecticism. It merges stylistic elements of earlier Greek sculpture from the 400s and 300s B.C. to fit current Roman taste. Hundreds of versions of this statue type with minor variation survive made from a variety of materials and in a wide range of sizes. On this example, the unknown sculptor has emphasized the open pose and the contrast of textures between the god's smooth, muscular body and the tight curls of his hair and beard.