Fragment of a Campana Relief Depicting Victoria Sacrificing a Bull

Culture: Roman

Period: 1st half of 1st century B.C. to 1st half of 1st century A.D.

Material: Terracotta

Dimensions: 27.8 cm x 33 cm (relief); 33 cm x 36.6 cm (plaster board)

Price: Sold

Ref: 3558

Provenance: From the old Viennese collection of Dr. Fritz Reinert (1912-1996), acquired in the 1930s. Thence in the Musée d’Art Classique de Mougins in France. Last in the US art market.

Condition: Fragment of beautiful quality.

Description: Expressive fragment of a Campana relief in high-quality depicting Victoria sacrificing a bull. The winged goddess is unclothed except for a himation, which is thrown over her right arm and right thigh, and sandals. Her reddish hair is held by a filet. She grabs with her left hand a bull on its nostrils and pulls its head upwards to free its neck. In her raised right hand she holds a knife for stabbing. The bull with finely drawn forelocks, a sacrificial cloth around the neck and finely drawn anatomic details on the bent forelegs and hooves. Victoria, the Greek Nike, who sacrifices a bull, is a popular theme on Campana reliefs. The motive refers to a depiction of the late classical balustrade of the Athena-Nike temple on the Acropolis in Athens dating to the late 5th century B.C. It can be found in similar form often also in Greek and Roman art. See the relief in the British Museum with the inventory number 1805,0703.307. and the two in the Altes Museum in Berlin with the inventory numbers TC558 as well as TC 8217.68. Inserted in an old plaster board, which can be mounted on the wall.