Meleager 1735

Antonio Gai's marble sculpture, "Meleager," created in 1735, depicts the Greek mythological hero in a moment of contemplation. The sculpture showcases the artist's skill in depicting the human form with realistic detail, capturing the subtle nuances of Meleager's musculature and the flowing drapery of his cloak. The sculpture's placement on a pedestal and the presence of a boar's head at his feet, a reference to Meleager's slaying of the Calydonian Boar, emphasize the heroic nature of the subject. This neoclassical masterpiece is a testament to the enduring legacy of ancient Greek mythology in Italian Baroque art.