Ludovisi Throne
| Ludovisi Throne | |
|---|---|
| Artist | Unknown (Western Greek artist from Magna Graecia) |
| Year | 460 BC |
| Medium | White marble |
| Movement | Transitional between Archaic and Early Classical |
| Subject | Aphrodite rising from the sea (disputed interpretations include Persephone and Hera Parthenos) |
| Dimensions | 0.9 m × 1.42 m (35 in × 56 in) |
| Location | Museo Nazionale Romano of Palazzo Altemps, Rome |
| Owner | Italy |
| Accession | 1894 |
The Ludovisi Throne is an ancient Greek sculpture from Locri, Southern Italy. Not an actual throne, the sculpture is a block of white marble intricately carved with bas-reliefs on its three visible sides, with the primary side's relief considered by many to depict Aphrodite rising from the sea. It is a product of a transitional phase between the Archaic and Early Classical styles of Greek art, circa 460 BC. Currently, it resides in the Museo Nazionale Romano of Palazzo Altemps in Rome, having been acquired by Italy in 1894.
The central relief of the throne, encompassing a height of 0.9 m and a length of 1.42 m, is traditionally interpreted as the goddess Aphrodite, enveloped in her signature diaphanous attire, being aided by two Horae on the shore. Despite this, the unique iconography present makes identification uncertain, prompting some experts to speculate alternative subjects, like the chthonic deity Persephone, or even Hera Parthenos emerging from the waters. The side panels are also subject to various interpretations, with one showcasing a veiled woman with incense and the other, a young girl playing the aulos, a double flute.