Comment on Jason and the Hope Commission

Even at this early stage, the ensuing description could just as easily fit the two extant versions of Jason with the Golden Fleece, A52 and A822—apart from the specification of its size as “natural,” i.e. life size, which differs from the existing model, which is life-and-a-half (one-and-a-half times life size). In 1850, the average height of male conscripts was 165 cm; this corresponds well with the later model of Jason, A52, which was executed in slightly below life-and-a-half size, namely, 245.5 cm. With his height of 168 cm, Thorvaldsen was himself regarded as a tall man; see, e.g., his passport dated 8.8.1810 and residence permit dated 6.9.1798.

Last updated 27.06.2014