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The Art Institute of Chicago
Architectural Relief Depicting the Gigantomachy (Battle Between Gods and Giants)
Description
As the name suggests, the Gigantomachy was the struggle between and the Giants and the Olympian gods, who were led by Zeus. In flowing robes, a god and goddess capture a Giant, depicted with wings and serpent-like features, to deliver the final blow in this epic battle. These three animated figures were probably once part of a series of ornamental covers called antefixes, which were placed along the lowest row of roof tiles on a small building, probably a temple. Etruscans often decorated their buildings with brightly colored sculptural compositions based on Greek mythology.
Provenance
Private collection, Switzerland [according to Bruce McAlpine in committee meeting minutes; copy in curatorial object file]; acquired by Bruce (b. 1947) and Ingrid McAlpine (1939-2018), London, England, by 1984; sold to the Art Institute, 1984.
Dimensions
45.8 × 46 × 21.9 cm (18 1/16 × 18 1/8 × 8 5/8 in.)
Movement / Period
Accession No
111030
Official Citations
Curatorial Affinity Stream
Continuing the Universe of Etruscan
hellenistic etruscan • Etruria • Harmonious Works & Contemporaries
Continuous Discovery