With hands in front of him in a highly expressive
posture, this Roman bronze priest has been
captured by the sculptor in a most animated and
natural pose. Having brought the art of
metalwork to elevated levels of craftsmanship
and creative artistry, Roman artisans succeeded
in casting a variety of forms in bronze, their
distribution reaching to the far boundaries of the
empire. These small bronzes served a number of
functions in ancient times, including their usage
as votive offerings in temples, or as decorative
works of art placed in the home. This exalted
bronze priest, bedecked in his highly detailed
attire, with large gesturing hands and wide-eyed
face may have served any number of purposes in
antiquity, his magnetism and spirited energy
clearly evident. Whatever the bronze priests
original function, we are captivated by him today
and experience him as an elegant work of art and
as a tangible link with that most glorious of
ancient empires.
- (FZ.281)
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