Welcome to “Art, Culture & Books” with me Anthony King. Today I’ll be taking you to see Prometheus Bound and the Oceanids, an 1879 marble sculpture by German sculptor Eduard Müller which is located at Alte Nationalgalerie in Berlin, Germany.
Prometheus Bound and the Oceanids is so large that it’s actually been placed outside in a kind of courtyard area underneath a passage way. It’s also chiselled out of a single block of marble. In a certain sense, it’s quite hidden away and I expect many people just walk passed it.
Eduard Müller, the German sculptor, was born on 9th August 1828 and died on 29th December 1895 in Rome. Initially employed as a cook, Müller extensively travelled to Munich, Paris, and Antwerp.
Prometheus Bound, an ancient Greek tragedy commonly attributed to Aeschylus, is believed to have been composed between 479 BC and 424 BC. The narrative revolves around the myth of Prometheus, a Titan who challenges Zeus, bestows fire upon humanity, and consequently faces the wrath and punishment of Zeus. Prometheus is occasionally identified as the God of Fire.
The Alte Nationalgalerie (the Old National Gallery) is situated on the Museum Island in the historic centre of Berlin, Germany. Erected between 1862 and 1876 at the behest of King Frederick William IV of Prussia, the gallery features Neoclassical and Renaissance Revival architectural styles. Presently, it houses 19th-century paintings and sculptures. As a component of the Museum Island complex, the gallery attained UNESCO World Heritage status in 1999 for its exceptional architecture. Müller’s sculpture expertly portrays Prometheus in all his splendour, rightfully acknowledging his stature. In certain iterations of the myth, Prometheus is credited with the creation of humanity from clay. Renowned for his intellect and advocacy for mankind, Prometheus is widely regarded as the progenitor of human arts and sciences, a recognition well-deserved!
(c) Anthony King