Unknown
Roman

Dioscurus (Castor or Pollux), 1st c. CE or 2nd c. CE
marble, pentelic
31 1/2 in.

SBMA, Gift of Wright S. Ludington
1978.4.12

COMMENTS

At first glance it would be tempting to identify this figure as Perseus holding aloft the head of Medusa in his left hand while firmly grasping his sword with his right; the forepart of a horse at the leg-support could then have belonged to Pegasus. However, this is not the case because the figure wears a pointed cap, the symbol of the Dioscuri - The Twins, Castor and Pollux. A horse is also associated with these twins. In all probability a mate for this statue did, and may still, exist, for representations of The Twins were very common in Roman art. A Dioscurus has been discovered at Leptis Magna, and its style as well as its pose points back to a 5th century Greek type. Quite obviously the style of the Santa Barbara statue is very different from that given here as a paralle1, but it clearly establishes the identity of this figure as Castor or Pollux. Most probably it was the product of a Roman workshop of the 1st century A.D.

The statue is much reworked and restored. The left arm from above the elbow and also the drapery of the mantle that hung from the left forearm are missing. The nose and muzzle of the horse, which serves as the statue support, are missing. Much modern patching and rough plasterwork are present on the feet, parts of the left thigh, and the top of the pointed hat (pilus). The lower right forearm and sword hand are wholly modern, perhaps 17th or 18th century CE. A considerable amount of surface scratches, abrasions, and retooling is found, especially on the face. The drapery around the neck shows evidence of recutting and the plinth also has been recut and possibly reshaped.

Adapted from Mario A. DelChiaro, Classical Art Sculpture, Santa Barbara Museum of Art, 1984, pp.58-59