Vulcan (or possibly Prometheus) chained to a rock

The figure is closely related to David's statue of St Bartholomew in the church of S. Maria di Carignano in Genoa, Italy. Malcolm Baker has suggested that it's one of the few free-standing sculptures of mythological figures to have been executed by a sculptor working in England in the first half of the 18th century'.

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Although traditionally thought to represent the mythical Prometheus, chained to a rock by the god Jupiter, the figure probably represents Vulcan. The diary of Sir Matthew Decker, who saw the piece in its original setting in 1728, provides an explanation of its symbolism. Placed on the landing half-way up the main staircase, the figure was intended to be accompanied by a further figure of William III, as part of an allegorical representation of how William's arrival in England and the Glorious Revolution of 1688 had averted a civil war. 'Vulcan is accordingly represented as chained, rather than fashioning the instruments of war.'

Sulla scultura

Scheda

Nella stessa sala · Sculpture, Room 22, The Dorothy and Michael Hintze Galleries, Victoria and Albert Museum

Sullo stesso tema · Rock

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Che cosa raffigura

In catalogo

Fonti

Neptune

Model for Wellington Monument: Truth and Falsehood, 1867-8

Valour and Cowardice, 1866

Pandora, 1856

Eve listening to the voice, 1842

Maternal Affection, 1837

Catherine, Lady Stepney (d. 1845) as Cleopatra, ca. 1836

Nicolò Paganini, 1832

Cupid kindling the torch of Hymen, ca. 1831

Two Nude Men

Noah Leaving the Ark, 1544

The Barc, 1515-1530

The Raising of Lazarus: Small Plate, 1642

The Stoning of Saint Stephen, 1635

The Entombment, c. 1654

[Die Auferweckung des Lazarus; The Raising of Lazarus. Small Plate; Résurrection de Lazare], 1642

[Die kleine Löwenjagd mit zwei Löwen; The Small Lion Hunt with Two Lions; Chasse aux lions], 1629