Statue of Leda and the Swan
Roman copy after a Greek original; 2nd century A.D., after an original of ca. 370 B.C.
Marble, 42 1/2 x 21 1/4 x 21 5/8 in. (108 x 54 x 55 cm)
Funding provided by Arthur G. Altschul, B.A. 1943; Mr. and Mrs. Walter Bareiss, B.S. 1940; Peggy and
Richard Danziger, LL.B. 1963; George Hopper Fitch, B.A. 1932; Allen Grover, B.A. 1922; Leonard C.
Hanna, Jr., B.A. 1913, Fund; Henry J. Heinz, II, B.A. 1931; H. John Heinz, III, B.A. 1960; Alexander K.
McLanahan, B.A. 1949; and Cornelius Clarkson Vermeule, III
1986.1.1
The subject of this slightly under-lifesize statue derives from the popular myth of the Greek god, Zeus, in which he falls in love with the mortal Leda, transforms himself into a swan, and seduces and impregnates her. In this relatively tame sculptural rendering, Leda (now headless) is shown sitting on a rock, holding the swan (whose head and neck are also missing) against her right leg. The clinging, almost transparent drapery cascading from her left shoulder—a popular stylistic device in the late fifth and fourth centuries B.C.—would have extended along her raised left arm (now missing). This statue is widely regarded as a Roman copy after a Greek original by the late classical sculptor Timotheos.
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