Description
Plaster cast of a group by sculptor Menelaos, often identified as Orestes and Elektra. Original is housed at the National Museum, Rome circa 1st century BCE to 1st century CE.
Publication Date
1978
Type of Artwork
Statue
Time Period/Geographical Region
Ancient Greece
Height (cm/in)
193.04 cm / 76 in
Width (cm/in)
137.16 cm / 54 in
Depth (cm/in)
73.66 cm / 29 in
Disciplines
Ancient History, Greek and Roman through Late Antiquity | Sculpture
Recommended Citation
Morehead State University. Camden-Carroll Library., "Group known as Orestes and Elektra" (1978). Metropolitan Museum of Art Cast Collection. 2.
https://scholarworks.moreheadstate.edu/metropolitan_art_collection/2
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Comments
Orestes and Electra were the children of Agamemnon from Greek mythology. A stele behind Orestes identifies the sculptor, with an inscription which reads: "Menelaos student of Stephanos made this." Menelaos and his mentor Stephanos were part of a Roman revival of Greek naturalism. Guesses have been made concerning the figures represented in this sculpture. Scholars have described the siblings as standing before the tomb of their father in mourning. However, the larger size of the female figure and her protective embrace have led some to believe that this might be the representation of a mother and son—perhaps Penelope and Telemachos (son of Odysseus)—rather than brother and sister.