Hermes seated. Italy, ca. 1800

Hermes seated. Italy, ca. 1800.
Bronze.
Measurements: 30 x 18 x 25 cm.
This Hermes follows the model of the one found in the Villa of the Papyri in Herculaneum in 1758, today preserved in the Archaeological Museum of Naples. The original work is a Roman bronze copy of a Hellenistic sculpture usually attributed to Lysippus. It represents Hermes, Olympic messenger god of borders and travelers who cross them, of ingenuity and commerce in general, completely naked, wearing only winged sandals, one of his main attributes.
It is a souvenir sculpture of the Grand Tour, a term that appears for the first time in the work “El Voyage d'Italie” by Richard Lassels, it was used to define the long journey through Europe, especially through Italy, which young people usually made. . British aristocrats from the 17th century onwards, but especially throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. The purpose of the trip was for young people to learn about art and culture mainly from France and Italy, admire classical art first-hand, learn or improve their knowledge of languages and establish contacts and relationships with the cultural and political elites of these countries. . . Travelers used to look for pieces with which to start their own artistic collections, objects to take as souvenirs to their places of residence. For this reason, workshops specialized in replicating Roman pieces, both in bronze and marble, emerged, some of which acquired great reputation.