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The Death of Hippolytus or Fall of Phaeton
Moderno (Italian, 1467–1528)
1500s
- Medium
- bronze
- Classification
- Sculpture
- Dimensions
- Diameter: 10.2 cm (4 in.)
- Culture
- Italy
- Museum
- Cleveland Museum of Art, European Painting and Sculpture
- Credit line
- Lawrence Hitchcock Fund
- Rights
- Public domain (CC0), as the museum states it.
- Who can see it
- Teens profiles and older: its subject is for older viewers (war, death, the Passion, drink or the like). How works are placed
View at the Cleveland Museum of Art
About this work
This composition's drama comes from the horses' twisting bodies—rhythmically fitting in the circular frame—as well as their dynamic and individuated expressions. Many copies and variants of this popular design exist, some with architectural or wooded backgrounds. Yet, the subject matter is still being debated. The waves along the bottom edge recall two possible classical narratives that relate to bodies of water. First, Hippolytus, sent into exile for the false accusation that he was responsible for his stepmother's death, was killed when Poseidon sent monsters to drown the young man and his chariot in the sea. However, the plaquette has also been connected to Phaeton, the son of Apollo, who attempted to drive the sun god's chariot. Because Phaeton was unable to control the reins, Zeus struck the youth with a bolt of lightning-saving the earth, but hurtling the young boy and horses into the river Eridanos.
