Giorgio Sommer c. 1880 Albumen Print of Seated Hermes (Mercurio) at Naples Museum original paint being a swan

being a swan

With hole running all the way through his chest

When I found this mug I would have guessed it was made just a few years ago--it's in perfect condition

where the silver of the tin shows through

Giorgio Sommer c. 1880 Albumen Print of Seated Hermes (Mercurio) at Naples Museum original paint being a swanI've been really attracted to old photographs of classical sculptures statues of late, or just lucky enough to be coming across them and finding them really beautiful. This is one of two albumen prints I found together, dating to the 1880s, which I believe likely were acquired on a "Grand Tour." The subject of both is a sculpture of "Mercurio," more commonly known as Seated Hermes, held (still, I believe) in the collection of the Naples Museum. This