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Moor of Borghese

The Moor of Borghese is a 188 cm-high polychrome stone statue in the Louvre collection. It was created in Rome in the early 17th century for Cardinal-nephew Scipione Borghese by the Lorraine sculptor Nicolas Cordier, and is named after its patron. The sculpture belonged to a series of polychrome works commissioned by Borghese that combined surviving ancient fragments with alabaster, marble, and sometimes bronze additions. In this statue, the head and upper torso are believed to come from an ancient original, while the rest was added by Cordier. It entered the Louvre after Camillo Borghese sold part of the Borghese collection to Napoleon in 1807.

Moor of Borghese statue showing a dark-skinned figure in a patterned tunic and boots with one arm raised.
The Moor of Borghese sculpture depicts a standing figure with one arm raised and the other extended.
August 2018 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Moor of Borghese torso detail with sculpted drapery and a decorative strap featuring a face medallion.
Close-up of the Moor of Borghese showing the torso’s carved drapery and ornate strap detail.
August 2018 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Close-up of the Moor of Borghese statue showing the lower legs, bare feet, and carved boots above a marbled pedestal.
Detail of the Moor of Borghese, focusing on the statue’s lower legs, feet, and ornate boots.
August 2018 © · CC BY-SA 4.0

Identification

TitleLe Maure Borghèse; Le Maure Borghèse - MR 303; Le Maure Borghèse (MR 303)
TypeStatue; Polychrome stone statue
Inventory numberMR 303
Alternative nameThe Moor

Iconography and meaning

Depicted subjectA Moor

Physical characteristics

Height188 cm

Historical context

SeriesPart of a series of polychrome sculptures commissioned by Cardinal Borghese
DateEarly 17th century, circa 1611–1612
Place of creationRome
Commissioned byCardinal-nephew Scipione Borghese; Cardinal-nephew Scipione (Shipione) Borghese

Creator

SculptorNicolas Cordier
Sculptor's originLorraine

Materials

Materials and techniquePolychrome sculpture with ancient fragments supplemented by alabaster, marble, and sometimes bronze inserts

Technique

ConstructionAn assemblage / 'constructor' work completed from surviving ancient fragments with later additions

Appearance

Ancient componentsThe head and upper part of the torso are believed to belong to the ancient original

History and restoration

Later additionsEverything else is attributed to Cordier's additions; the rest of the sculpture was added by Cordier

Discovery and provenance

ProvenanceIn the Louvre since 1807
Ownership historyIn 1807, Prince Camillo Borghese sold a significant part of his collection to Napoleon / Pauline Bonaparte, which later became part of the Louvre's Borghese Collection

Location and ownership

Current locationLouvre; The Louvre
CollectionLouvre Museum
Display statusOn view in the permanent collection; On view in the permanent exhibition

Related works

Related worksTwo statues of Diana in the same series, both nicknamed Singarella ('Gypsy girl'), one in the Borghese Gallery in Rome and the other in the Louvre; and some other works