Bronze statue of Eros sleeping

Bronze statue of Eros sleeping

Movable Cultural Heritage

This bronze statue of a sleeping Eros, the Roman god of love, is at the pinnacle of Hellenistic sculpture work. The Hellenistic period ushered in the "accurate characterisation of age," which this sculpture exemplifies through the depiction of Eros as a baby. The importance of this statue can be understood through the sheer number of replicas of it – the Roman period was rich with sleeping baby Eros statues throughout public spaces. This sculpture also reframes the narrative around Eros; his softness and vulnerability as depicted here is contrasted with the powerful and cruel characteristic he displays in the poetry of the time. This moveable heritage addresses Quality Education 4.7 and Climate Action 13.

The Met Museum

is51102024

3rd–2nd century BCE

sl350@st-andrews.ac.uk

English

Physical Object

984

26/04/2024

27/04/2024

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/254502

41.9cm x 35.6cm x 85.2cm

Met Museum

current,40.7794,-73.9632;

TEXT

2054

Bronze