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This is a circular relief depicting three humans and a centaur. In the center, two people embrace, holding each other closely. The third human stands on the right holding a tall staff and a bow, looking to the left towards the other two. All three humans appear to have short hair and wear flowing tunics with tall boots. The bearded centaur is on the left, shown in profile, facing the embracing figures. It is shown mid-trot with one leg raised slightly off the ground, and it holds a long staff and several tall scroll-like objects. A flowing cape hangs from its shoulders. The background features textured surfaces resembling foliage or rocks. The material is a dark bronze color with an aged patina in some areas, giving it a brownish sheen.
National Gallery of Art · Sculpture
Achilles Taking Leave of Thetis and Chiron
Mantuan or Ferrarese 16th Century
- Date
- first quarter 16th century
- Medium
- bronze
- Dimensions
- overall (diameter): 6 cm (2 3/8 in.) gross weight: 48 gr
- Classification
- Sculpture · Plaquette
- Accession number
- 1942.9.238
- Credit line
- Widener Collection
- Time span
- 1401 to 1500
- Department
- CSD
Subjects and terms
- Italian
- classical
- mythology
- Renaissance Plaquettes
- Achilles
- Chiron
- Thetis
Provenance
Oscar Hainauer [d. 1894], Berlin; his wife, Julie Hainauer, Berlin; acquired 1906 by (Duveen Brothers, Inc., London and New York); by exchange 21 October 1920 to Joseph E. Widener, Lynnewood Hall, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania; gift 1942 to NGA.
NGA object ID 1398. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.