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Pasquino

Pasquino is a battered Hellenistic-style statue, perhaps dating to the third century BC, that was unearthed in Rome’s Parione district in the fifteenth century. Since the early modern period, Romans have used the name to refer to it, and it became famous as the first of Rome’s talking statues because anonymous criticisms were traditionally attached to its base. The satirical form known as a pasquinade takes its name from this custom. The statue stands in Piazza Pasquino, near the northwest corner of the Palazzo Braschi and close to the site where it was found. Its subject is identified as Menelaus supporting the body of Patroclus.

Weathered Pasquino stone statue with eroded draped figures beside a stone building and a metal rod protruding from the shoulder.
Pasquino, Rome’s famous talking statue, shown here in a weathered black and white photograph.
August 2020 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Pasquino, a weathered stone statue on a pedestal beside a post covered with handwritten notes.
Pasquino stands on a pedestal next to a post covered with handwritten notes.
September 2019 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Pasquino, a severely weathered stone statue with a missing left arm, shown against rough stone blocks.
Pasquino seen in a close view, with its eroded face and upper torso against a stone wall.
© · CC BY-SA 4.0
Pasquino statue in a busy piazza with surrounding classical buildings, people, and horse-drawn carriages.
Pasquino stands in a bustling square surrounded by classical buildings and traffic in an old engraving.
1752 © · Public domain
Pasquino shown as a bearded man in a hooded robe standing on a decorated pedestal, with Latin text above and an ornate crown and cross emblem beside him.
Pasquino depicted as a hooded bearded figure with clasped hands, accompanied by a Latin inscription and decorative emblem.
1511 © Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domain

Identification

TitlePasquino
TypeAncient fragmentary marble sculpture; later one of Rome's talking statues
English namePasquin
Latin namesPasquinus; Pasquillus

Historical context

DateProbably 3rd century BC
StyleHellenistic
Original groupProbably a copy of a Hellenistic sculptural group by Antigonos
SubjectMenelaus supporting the body of Patroclus
Alternative identificationsHercules strangling Geryon; Ajax supporting the body of Achilles; Hercules fighting the Centaurs; a Greek warrior killing an enemy; two warriors, one supporting the other
Original locationPossibly the ancient Roman Stadium of Domitian beneath present-day Piazza Navona

Creator

Attributed toAntigonos (for the original group)

Discovery and provenance

Discovery locationNear Palazzo Orsini in the Parione district of Rome, at the site where it now stands
Find circumstancesFound during paving works in muddy ground; reportedly had lain there for many years and may have served as a footbridge
Condition at discoveryArms, legs, nose, and much of the second figure were missing; heavily damaged and fragmentary
Installed byCardinal Oliviero Carafa
Date of installation1501
Installation locationOn a pedestal at the corner of Palazzo Orsini, later replaced by Palazzo Braschi
InscriptionOliverii Carafae beneficio sum anno salutis MDI
Discovery date1501

Physical characteristics

Preserved formBroken torso without arms and legs; a second torso is almost completely eroded
MaterialMarble
ConditionHeavily damaged, fragmentary, and mutilated in the limbs and face

Appearance

DescriptionA male figure, probably armored, with the face turned upward and one hand visible on the second figure

Location and ownership

Current locationPiazza Pasquino, Rome, on the northwest corner of Palazzo Braschi near Piazza Navona
Current displayStill in the same public setting since 1501
Naming relationshipPiazza Pasquino is named after the statue

Iconography and meaning

Other talking statuesMarforio, Babuino, Abbate Luigi, Facchino, and Madama Lucrezia
Social significanceEspecially active during the periods of papal nepotism, the pontificate of Leo X, and conclaves
Historical roleThe first and most famous of Rome's talking statues; the only one still in use
Associated literary formSatirical poem or pamphlet derived from the statue's name
Derived termsPasquinade; pasquinate; pasquil; pasquillo
Forms usedLatin at first, later mostly Italian or Roman dialect; written in verse and prose; posted on leaflets, tablets, or a notice board
Function of noticesA vehicle for popular discontent, political opposition, and religious criticism
Associated traditionAnonymous satirical notices, verses, pamphlets, and epigrams have been attached to the statue or its pedestal, often at night and especially on Saint Mark's Day, to criticize public figures, the papacy, and social and political abuses

History and restoration

Published collectionsPasquinades were collected and printed; a surviving series exists from 1509 to 1525, including Carmina apposita Pasquino
Notable usersPietro Aretino; Celio Secondo Curione
Related publicationPasquillorum tomi duo (1544)

Significance

Admired byGian Lorenzo Bernini, who considered it the most beautiful sculpture in Rome
Literary referenceMentioned by Joachim du Bellay in Les Regrets, including sonnet 108