Polyphemus c. 1700

This is an undated sculpture of Polyphemus by an unknown artist currently held at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. The first thing that strikes you about this sculpture is the raw physicality of the figure. Carved from what appears to be a single block of stone, the sculptor has meticulously rendered the musculature of Polyphemus, emphasizing his brute strength. The composition centers on the cyclops wrestling a massive stone, his body arched in a display of exertion. Note the contrast between the smooth, almost polished skin of Polyphemus and the rough, unfinished texture of the stone he is lifting. This juxtaposition highlights a play between civilization and nature. The inclusion of the panpipes is a symbolic sign – a cultural code, if you will – that represents Polyphemus's dual nature. The fact that this piece is not dated adds to the mystery of the sculpture. It invites us to engage with the timeless themes of power, labor, and the complex relationship between man and nature, elements which, in their formal arrangement, make this sculpture compelling.