Thorvaldsen's Restoration of the Aegina Marbles
In 1963, the additions made by Bertel Thorvaldsen to the pediment sculptures from the Aphaia Temple of Aegina were removed and the figures were rearranged according to the findings of modern archaeology. Thorvaldsen reconstructed the sculptures in 1816 to 1820 in Rome. The removal of Thorvaldsen's reconstructions met with much approval; however, many people criticised that Thorvaldsen's work was thus lost. In a long-term restoration programme, artificial marble castings of the Aegina figures are now being combined with the original Thorvaldsen additions. Thus this Neoclassical work, the last major undertaking in the history of reconstructing ancient objects, will be recreated. The exhibition in the Glyptothek presents two of the completed figures.
27.07. – 30.09.06 I daily except MON 10.00-17.00, THU 10.00-20.00
Glyptothek, Königsplatz, 80333 München, see site map 11
