I · THE OBJECT · BRITISH MUSEUM
Bronze Head of Hypnos from Civitella d'Arna
▶ Listen · narrated
It is a familiar face, even though it lacks one. It is widely copied, yet its origins are obscure and shrouded in mystery.
At a glance
- Dimensions
- 20.32 cm (8 in) high
- Collection
- British Museum
- Discovery Location
- Civitella d'Arna
Look closer
The missing nose
The head is broken at the neck, and the features are worn, but the most striking absence is the nose. It was deliberately cut away by an unknown hand. The damage is clean, the edges sharp.
Hypnos' hair
In Greek mythology Hypnos was the god of sleep, and his image often appeared on graves. He is sometimes shown with poppy heads in his hair, but this head has no such decoration. Instead it shows the god's tousled hair, styled to suggest his role.
Mysterious origins
The bronze head was found in Civitella d'Arna near Perugia, Italy, in the early nineteenth century; since then many copies have been made of it. It was not until 1868 that this example became part of the British Museum's collection.
The story
The Bronze Head of Hypnos is a Roman copy of an ancient Greek sculpture depicting the god of sleep, Hypnos. The original date and maker are unknown; only its rediscovery in Civitella d'Arna near Perugia, Italy, is documented.
It was not made to be unique. Its origins are obscure: it lacks any identifying inscriptions or markers that might help locate its exact place of manufacture. But the bronze has a long history as an art object, and copies were being made from at least the early nineteenth century onwards.
This example is a Roman copy of a Greek original. It was found in Civitella d'Arna near Perugia, Italy. The head does not have any identifying inscriptions or markers that would help date it precisely or determine where it was made, but it may well be from ancient Rome. A hole in the back of its head suggests the statue might once have been mounted on a wall.
Its discovery is documented, but little more than that: the head was found in Civitella d'Arna near Perugia, Italy, in the early nineteenth century and many copies were made from it since then. It wasn't until 1868 that this example became part of the British Museum's collection.
Why it mattered then
In ancient times Hypnos' image was a familiar one: he was often depicted on graves to evoke a peaceful death and eternal sleep. This head, whether Roman or Greek original, would have been recognized by anyone who saw it. The head's origins are obscure but its familiarity as an art object is undeniable — copies were being made from at least the early nineteenth century onwards, suggesting that artists found something compelling in the image of Hypnos. Its missing nose may be part of this appeal: there is evidence to suggest that a damaged statue could evoke pathos and pity. The head's deliberate damage also suggests it was made to be copied — the clean edges around the break show it was deliberately cut away by an unknown hand, perhaps to create a more dramatic effect. The hole in the back of its head suggests the statue might once have been mounted on a wall.
Why it matters now
The Bronze Head of Hypnos continues to captivate artists and viewers alike. Its damaged state has only added to its allure: there is evidence to suggest that a damaged statue could evoke pathos and pity, making it more compelling than an intact one. The head's mysterious origins also add to its intrigue — despite being widely copied, little is known about its exact provenance or original date. This uncertainty allows viewers to project their own interpretations onto the piece.
The surprising detail
This object has been called the 'sleeper' and a 'mute witness.' There are multiple theories as to why the nose was removed; some suggest it was done to evoke pathos and pity, while others propose it might have been part of a restoration attempt gone wrong. The hole in the back of its head suggests the statue might once have been mounted on a wall.
How it got here
The Bronze Head of Hypnos entered the British Museum's collection in 1868. Since its discovery in Civitella d'Arna, Italy, many copies have been made from it. The circumstances of its acquisition by the museum are not detailed.
Remember this
A head without an identifying inscription can still tell stories.
Test yourself
The head's deliberate damage could evoke pathos and pity — but why would an artist want to do that?
It is widely copied, but its origins are obscure. This uncertainty allows viewers to project their own interpretations onto the piece.
Go deeper
- Bronze Head of Hypnos from Civitella d'Arna · Wikipedia
- Bronze Head of Hypnos from Civitella d'Arna — Wikidata · Wikidata
Image: Carole Raddato from FRANKFURT, Germany, CC BY-SA 2.0. Licence: CC BY-SA 2.0. Source.