Farnese Atlas
Maker
Fonderia Chiurazzi
(Italian, founded 1870)
Dateearly 20th century
MediumBronze
Dimensions74 x 35 1/2 x 46 in. (188 x 90.2 x 116.8 cm)
ClassificationsSculpture
Credit LineBequest of John Ringling, 1936
Object numberSN5115
Atlas is shown here supporting the celestial spheres, as was his punishment for siding with his fellow Titans, an older generation of gods, in their losing struggle against the Olympians, the younger generations. This statue includes one of the most complete representations of the zodiac in ancient art, and the positioning of the constellations on the sphere has for centuries been a source of debate, particularly for the information it provides about the ancients’ knowledge of astronomy.
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