Deceptively Authentic Additions

Abstract

AbstractThe point of departure for this chapter is the large group of antique ideal sculptures that have been altered by Roman restorers active during the sixteenth to eighteenth centuries. The most important additions were heads, and they had one main purpose: to transform an antique torso into a statue appearing more or less complete which, consequently, could be sold at a high price. The discussion concentrates on those sculptures whose restorations were executed with such skill that not only did the buyer, but also past and present-day scholars, believe them to be ancient works,. These scholars have published work based, apparently, on a mistaken judgment of the state of preservation of certain statues. The ambivalent role of post-antique restorations is best illustrated by a colossal marble statue of Hercules which was provided with a new head in the sixteenth century, and also with an inscription attributing the torso/statue to one of the most famous sculptors ever, Lysippos.