Clytie
1869–70; carved 1872
Medium
Marble
Dimensions
62 1/2 x 18 1/2 x 21 1/4 in. (158.8 x 47 x 54 cm)
Classification
Sculpture
Culture
American
Department
The American Wing
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Herriman, 1911
Accession Number
11.68.1
Tags
Art Historical Context
William Henry Rinehart'sClytie* (1869–70; carved 1872) is a masterful marble sculpture capturing the poignant Greek myth of the nymph Clytie, who pined for the sun god Apollo and transformed into a, forever turning toward the sun. This life-sized female nude (62 1/2 x 18 1/2 x 21 1/4 in.) neoclassical ideals, with Rinehart's precise carving evoking the smooth, luminous surfaces of ancient Greek and Roman statues. The inclusion of sunflowers in the adds a naturalistic touch, symbolizing eternal longing and devotion. As an exemplar of 19th-century American neoclassicism, the work showcases Rine...