Luigi Valadier (1726–1785)
Herm of Bacchus, 1773
Bronze, alabastro a rosa, bianco e nero antico, and africano verde
h. 68 7/8 in. (175 cm)
Galleria Borghese, Rome
Mauro Magliani
One of Valadier’s most lyrical works, this herm designed for Palazzo Borghese in Rome was intended to imitate and respond to ancient objects in the family’s celebrated collection. The main body of the sculpture is carved out of alabastro a rosa, a rare colored marble, to which Valadier added the bronze head of Bacchus.