The Youth of Agde, Bronze statue at Musée de l'Éphèbe, Agde, France
The Youth of Agde is a bronze statue housed in the Musée de l'Éphèbe in Agde and stands about 1.4 meters (4 feet 7 inches) tall. It depicts a young man with features characteristic of ancient Greek sculpture and shows detailed craftsmanship that demonstrates the technical skill of ancient artisans.
Marine archaeologists discovered this bronze statue in 1964 in the bed of the Herault river on the southeastern coast of France. The discovery represents a rare find of well-preserved ancient artwork recovered from underwater.
The statue reflects Greek artistic ideals in how it portrays a young figure with refined proportions and naturalistic details. It shows the values ancient Mediterranean cultures held about youth and beauty through its skilled execution.
The artwork is on permanent display at the Musée de l'Éphèbe, where visitors can view it up close and examine its details. The museum is located in Agde and is easily accessible for anyone interested in viewing ancient Mediterranean art.
The statue was found in pieces, with its lower arms and feet separated by river currents over time. One foot was recovered several months later at a distance from the main discovery, showing how ancient artworks scatter in water.
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