Narcissus - Bronze Statue 25.59 in (65 cm)

This bronze statue of Narcissus, made with the lost wax technique, is a reproduction of the Hellenistic statue found in Pompeii in 1862, and today preserved in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples.

These bronzes were reproduced later and were part of the collection of Grand Tour, statuettes produced in 1880 by mainly Italian and French sculptors,  for tourists visiting Europe. 

Characteristics 

• Material: lost wax casting bronze 
• Suitable for indoors and outdoors 
• Dimensions: 25.59 × 12.60 × 17.72 in (65 x 32 x 45 cm)
• Base diameter: 11.02 in (28 cm)
• Weight: 8 Kg
• Produced in Italy 

Historical Curiosities

The myth of Narcissus exists in many versions, one of which is told by Ovid in the Metamorphosis. In his version, the young man rejects several suitors who are in love with his beauty, including the nymph Echo. The young woman, overcome by her displeasure, slowly died and only her voice remained. Then, as punishment, the goddess Nemesis made Narcissus fall in love with his own image reflected in a body of water. Once the young man realized that he could not be reciprocated, he let himself die, turning into the white flower that bears his name.

The sculpture was also taken up again in 1885 by Vincenzo Gemito, who was inspired by the original work found in what was called The House of Narcissus.

Maintenance

To keep your bronze statue always shining, clean it regularly with a soft, dry cloth. Avoid using harsh chemicals that could damage the finish.