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Source Image: PR307_02_02 of Unfinished Poseidon of Aphrodisias: Sculptor's Workshop

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Description

Detail of the unfinished Poseidon (or Perseus?) from the Sculptor's Workshop.

Monument
Aphrodisias: Sculptor's Workshop 
Monument Part
Unfinished Poseidon 
Monument Type
Statuary 
Material(s)
Aphrodisian marble (Visual identification)  
Date
circa ad 100 - circa ad 300 
Keywords
BodyPoseidon/Neptune  
Collections
Aphrodisias, Site and Museum  

Location

Original Location
Aphrodisias 
Current Location
Aphrodisias Museum 

Evidence for working practices

1. Toolmarks

Process
Roughing-out
Tool
Point
Method
Angle: Vertical (90°)
Force: Hard
Description
The surface on which the figure stands is very roughly worked with the point chisel.

2. Toolmarks

Process
Roughing-out
Tool
Point
Method
Angle: Steep (60-70°)
Force: Medium
Description
The section of the support to the right of the foot is also point chiselled but much more finely than the base.

3. Toolmarks

Process
Fine shaping
Tool
Flat Chisel
Method
Angle: Shallow (40-50°)
Force: Medium
Description
The foot on the right has been carved with the flat chisel but is not finely finished across the toes.

4. - Toolmarks

Process
Rough shaping
Tool
Flat Chisel
Method
Angle: Steep (60-70°)
Force: Medium
Description
Flat chisel marks are visible on a patch of the support. These various marks on the base do not seem to make much sense in terms of the general carving of the piece and so must be later additions.

4. - Toolmarks

Process
Rough shaping
Tool
Tooth Chisel
Method
Angle: Steep (60-70°)
Force: Medium
Description
The tooth chisel has also been used on the left side of the support. These various marks on the base do not seem to make much sense in terms of the general carving of the piece and so must be later additions.

Notes

This statue, which is very damaged, appears to have sat in the Sculptor's Workshop for some time. On the base a range of different toolmarks are visible which might indicate that it was used as a test piece by carvers (perhaps apprentices?) in the workshop. It is also usually dated on stylistic grounds to the 2nd or 3rd centuries AD and might, therefore, pre-date the workshop.

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