Capitoline Wolf
Maker
Fonderia Chiurazzi
(Italian, founded 1870)
Dateearly 20th century
MediumBronze
Dimensions33 x 53 x 13 in. (83.8 x 134.6 x 33 cm)
ClassificationSculpture
Credit LineBequest of John Ringling, 1936
Object numberSN5003
The <i>Capitoline Wolf</i> depicts a famous episode from ancient Roman legend, in which a she-wolf suckles the twins Romulus and Remus, the future founders of the city. A favorite of Grand Tour travelers, the statue gradually became a symbol of Rome itself, although it was not until the late 18th century that the twins were recognized as a 15th century addition. Long considered a work of ancient, possibly Etruscan, origin, recent analysis of the casting techniques together with carbon dating have suggested a medieval date of production, most likely between the 11th and 12th centuries.
On View
On viewLocation
- Museum of Art, Courtyard, North Loggia
