New photography by Shannon Ruff captured with a digital camera-2008.

Mars

Artist Severo di Domenico Calzetta (Severo da Ravenna) (Italian, active 1496 - 1525)

CultureItalian | Northern European

Date1500-1599

MediumBronze

DimensionsOverall: 11 3/4 in. (29.8 cm)
Base: 1 5/8 in. (4.1 cm)

Credit LineGift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr.

Object number77.1259.17

On View

Chrysler Museum of Art, Gallery 203

DescriptionThis is a small bronze statue of Mars wearing a helmet. He at one time had a shield as well on his left arm. The braces are still there and there is a hold in his elbow where the shield had been. In his right hand he holds the base of a knife or sword. The weapon is no longer there, but his feet are postured, left foot forward, ready to attack. The base of this statue is round and there is also a marble base beneath the bronze one.

Label TextSevero da Ravenna Italian, active 1496–1525 Mars, 1500s Bronze Mars, the Roman god of war, lunges forward as if in battle. The aggressive figure once held a sword in his upraised hand and a shield at his side. He was probably paired with a bronze figure of his consort, the goddess of love Venus. As contrasting symbols of war and peace, this pair would have illustrated the civilizing effects of love on humankind’s violent impulses. Gift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr. 77.1259.17