Bust of Patroclus, n.d.

Item

MS. 21088 photogr. 4, item 8

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This bust is one of the objects most photographed by Talbot and is a plaster copy of a marble bust which was excavated by the Scottish artist and archaeologist, Gavin Hamilton (1730-1798).

The reverse of the album leaf is blank.

Dates

n.d.

Extent

1 item

Language of Materials

No linguistic content; Not applicable

Conditions Governing Access

This material is light-sensitive. To ensure its availability to future readers, access to this material is restricted, and requires specialist support. Readers are asked to work from reproductions and published descriptions as far as possible. To apply to see the original, please send a message to specialcollections.enquiries@bodleian.ox.ac.uk, outlining the subject of your research, the importance of this item to that research, and the resources you have already consulted.

Shelfmark

MS. 21088 photogr. 4, item 8

Additional Description

Biographical / Historical

The original marble bust, found at Hadrian's villa in Tivoli in 1769, was later acquired by the British Museum in 1805.

Although the subject of the bust is not known for certain, many attempts or guesses have been made since its discovery, none of which have been proven for certain. Hence the generic descriptive title, "Head of a Homeric Hero: marble bearded head of a companion of Ulysses, probably from a group showing Ulysses and companions blinding Polyphemus".

It is thought that the marble version of the bust dates from about 100-150 BC, and is itself thought to be a Roman copy of a Hellenistic original dating from of about 200 BC. Talbot's plaster version is therefore part of a long line of copies. Alternatively, it could be seen as having an impressive pedigree.

Other Finding Aids

See also the Talbot Catalogue Raisonné, a detailed inventory of Talbot photographs located around the world. The Catalogue Raisonné is organised by Schaaf number. The Schaaf number for this item is Schaaf 193.