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Bronze Head of Hypnos from Civitella d'Arna

The Bronze Head of Hypnos from Civitella d'Arna is an ancient bronze sculpture now displayed in the British Museum under bronze catalogue number 267 (Inv. GR 1868.6-6.9). It is a Roman copy from the 1st–2nd century of a late Classical original, thought to date to around 350 BC and attributed to the school of Praxiteles or Skopas. The approximately 21 cm high head was found in Civitella d’Arno near Perugia and purchased in 1866. Only the head survives, and it shows some damage. The god’s face is inclined forward, his lips slightly parted, and his wavy hair is held by a broad headband. Wings appear at both sides, though one survives only as a stump.

Bronze head of Hypnos with a green patina, serene face, and a wing extending from one side.
Head of Hypnos, a weathered bronze sculpture with a winged head and calm expression.
March 2019 © · CC BY 2.0
Bronze head of Hypnos with feathered wings at the temples and a weathered patina.
Bronze head of Hypnos, showing the winged temples, curly hair, and worn surface of the ancient sculpture.
May 2014 © · CC BY-SA 2.0
Bronze head of Hypnos with a wing on the side, shown on a black stand.
Head of Hypnos, a bronze sculpture with a winged youth’s face and a dark patina.
January 2013 © · CC BY-SA 2.0
Bronze head of Hypnos with a wing rising from the side and a calm, downcast expression.
Head of Hypnos, shown as a bronze head with a wing on one side and finely modeled hair.
1898 © Murray, A. S. (Alexander Stuart), 1841-1904 · No restrictions
Bronze head of Hypnos with a wing on the side, showing a tranquil face with wavy hair and a weathered surface.
Bronze head of Hypnos, with a winged side and a worn ancient surface.
May 2014 © · CC BY-SA 2.0

Identification

TitleBronze Head of Hypnos from Civitella d'Arna
SubjectHypnos, god of sleep and father of dreams
Object typeAncient Roman bronze head fragment

Historical context

DateRoman copy from the 1st–2nd century of a Late Classical original about 350 BC
Original attributionAttributed to the school of Praxiteles or Skopas

Creator

Original work attributionAttributed to the school of Praxiteles or Skopas

Discovery and provenance

Later ownershipPart of the Castellani Collection
Museum acquisitionPurchased by the British Museum in 1868, along with other parts of the Castellani Collection
Discovery detailsOriginally discovered there; the circumstances of the find are largely unknown
Discovery dateEarly 19th century
FindspotCivitella d'Arna near Perugia, central Italy

Location and ownership

Current locationBritish Museum
Collection numberBronze catalogue no. 267 (Inv. GR 1868.6-6.9)

Physical characteristics

HairWavy, elaborately woven hair parted in the middle, combed to both sides, and tied in a knot at the back
Original attributesThe full statue would have held a drinking horn and poppies
WingsWings on both sides of the head; one survives only as its base, and one emerges from the right temple
HeadbandBroad headband (tainia) holding the hair together
SurvivalOnly the head survives; the rest of the body is lost
FaceLips slightly open
PoseHead inclined forward; the original full figure would have been walking forwards
HeightApproximately 21 cm
ConditionThe head is damaged

Materials

MaterialBronze

Iconography and meaning

Depicted figureHypnos, the god of sleep
Literary comparisonHomer compared his wings to those of a nightjar

Significance

RaritySculptural depictions of Hypnos are very rare; only a handful of similar statues are known in Western Europe, though he is frequently shown in Greek vase painting
Copying and popularityWidely copied since its discovery