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m.g. bindesbøll, thorvaldsen's museum, copenhagen, 1839-1847

thorvalden's museum, copenhagen, 1839-1847.

architect: gottlieb bindesbøll, 1800-1856.

 

the three graces, bertel thorvaldsen, 1770-1844.

 

there is a degree of realism to thorvaldsen's treatment of the naked female body in this particular version of the three graces - he did several - which is at odds with his neoclassicism.

 

the classical blank stare is here, but so is gravity and a layer of fat under the skin.

 

thorvaldsen's international career had been successful but his official works look almost ridiculous now, including his huge memorial for pius VII in st. peter's in rome. the three graces is a very different work and bindesbøll's intimate staging of it helps us enjoy it even today.

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Uploaded on May 20, 2008
Taken on April 19, 2008