"Bronze Head of a Young Athlete," Roman Imperial, circa first century B.C.     RESOURCES   ART MUSEUM SITES:   international   u.s. cities: a-h   u.s. cities: i-q   u.s. cities: r-z

Fort Worth museum acquires Greek and Roman antiquities

July 19, 2000
Web posted at: 12:56 p.m. EDT (1656 GMT)

(CNN) -- The Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, Texas, is showcasing two rare antiquities -- a Greek vase and a Roman bronze head -- that it recently acquired at auction.

"Both are works of the very highest quality and historical importance that very rarely become available," Kimbell Director Timothy Potts said.

The vase, or kylix, by Athenian artist Douris, dates to about 480 B.C. It was purchased at a Christie's sale.

Measuring almost a foot in diameter, it depicts two vivid, mythological scenes on the inside and outside, including the gruesome death of Pentheus, the king of Thebes.

This vase, "Red-Figured Cup: The Death of Pentheus," Athens, Greece, circa 480 B.C., is attributed to the painter Douris and the potter Python

The bronze head, a Roman copy of a Greek original, is believed to be from the first century.

The athlete's head is believed to be based on a lost but celebrated work from the fourth century B.C by Lyssipos, the court sculptor of Alexander the Great. Potts described the nearly foot-high piece, purchased at Sotheby's, as one of the best of a handful of surviving versions of the original.

Kimbell Art Museum
Christie's
Sotheby's

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