Nydia
Randolph Rogers
American Art
One of the most popular sculptures of the nineteenth century, Nydia was inspired by Lord Edward Bulwer-Lytton’s novel The Last Days of Pompeii (1834). Here, aided only by a walking stick and her exceptional hearing, the blind Nydia attempts to leave Pompeii before it is buried by a volcano. A broken Corinthian column by her right foot alludes to the city’s impending doom. The subject of Pompeii’s destruction in 79 c.e. was popular in this period and referenced the ancient origins of the Neoclassical style.
MEDIUM
Marble
DATES
1861
DIMENSIONS
53 1/2 x 24 7/8 x 39 3/8 in. (135.9 x 63.2 x 100 cm)
estimated combined weight. Base 1200. Sculpture 600: 1800 lb. (816.47kg)
(show scale)
INSCRIPTIONS
Inscribed on bottom of capital: "Randolph Rogers, / Rome."
ACCESSION NUMBER
16.507
CREDIT LINE
Gift of Frederic B. Pratt
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Statue of young woman striding forward with closed eyes and hunched back, proper left hand cupped to right ear, and proper right hand holding walking stick. Figure wears chiton with right shoulder strapped slipped down revealing breast, deeply carved fluttering drapery folds in skirt. Stands on round base with Ionic capital on its side at her feet.
Condition: Good; top of walking stick broken off.
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Randolph Rogers (American, 1825–1892). Nydia, 1861. Marble, 53 1/2 x 24 7/8 x 39 3/8 in. (135.9 x 63.2 x 100 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Frederic B. Pratt, 16.507. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 16.507_detail_in_situ.jpg)
IMAGE
detail, 16.507_detail_in_situ.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2018
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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