The Learned Collector: Mythological Statuettes and Classical Taste in Late Antique Gaul

335 Pages·2005·1.78 MB·English

by  Dr. Lea Stirling

The Learned Collector

The Learned Collector
mythological statuettes
and classical taste in
late antique gaul
Lea M. Stirling
the university of michigan press
ann arbor
Copyright © by the University of Michigan 2005
All rights reserved
Published in the United States of America by
The University of Michigan Press
Manufactured in the United States of America
∞Printed on acid-free paper
2008 2007 2006 2005 4 3 2 1
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored
in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form
or by any means, electronic, mechanical, or otherwise,
without the written permission of the publisher.
A CIP catalog record for this book is available from the British Library.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Stirling, Lea Margaret.
The learned collector : mythological statuettes and classical taste
in late antique Gaul / Lea M. Stirling.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0-472-11433-6(cloth : alk. paper)
1. Mythology, Classical, in art. 2. Marble sculpture, Roman—France,
Southwest. 3. Figurines—France, Southwest. 4. France, Southwest—Antiquities,
Roman. 5. Sculpture—Collectors and collecting—France, Southwest. I. Title.
NB160.S75 2005
730′.9364—dc22
2004019093
ISBN13 978-0-472-11433-7 (cloth)
ISBN13 978-0-472-02534-3 (electronic)
To Stella and Ian Stirling

Acknowledgments
The present bookhas been a long time in the making, from nascent
ideas in classes with Jeremy Rossiter and Thelma Thomas, through
its original recension as my 1994doctoral dissertation (University of Michi-
gan), to the much-expanded present format. I extend heartfelt thanks to
the numerous people in museums, universities, and other institutions who
have assisted me in manifold ways over that period.
I have been fortunate in holding the Canada Council Chair in Roman
Archaeology (Tier II) since 2001. This chair has supported the new sections
of this book, chapters 2and 6, as well as much of the cost of its illustrations.
Thanks are due to Elaine Gazda and Thelma Thomas, who sagely su-
pervised my dissertation research. In France and elsewhere, many people
assisted my research with invaluable advice and information, and I warmly
acknowledge Véronique Blanc-Bijon, M. and Mme André Brachet, M. and
Mme Egidio Borini, Jean-Pierre Bost, François Braemer, M. and Mme
Cailler, Bruno Del Nero, the late Nicole Deroisy-Delgouffre, Martin
Deroisy, Rory Egan, Jane Fejfer, Aurélia Greiveldinger, Niels Hannestad,
Jeanne Hanus, Anne Hochuli-Gysel, John Humphrey, Jacques Lapart, Carol
Lawton, Anna Leone, Louis Maurin, Richard Posamentir, and David Potter.
I have profited from research resources at the Centre Pierre Paris (Bordeaux),
the Centre Camille Jullian (Aix-en-Provence), and the American School of
Classical Studies (Athens). Elise Friedland, John Gahan, Alison Griffith,
Lisa Hughes, and anonymous readers for the University of Michigan Press
read the manuscript in full or part and provided valuable criticism and
improvements. Naturally, they are not responsible for any infelicities in the
text or for the judgments expressed therein. I thank the editorial staff at
the University of Michigan Press for their many efforts on my behalf.
vii
the learned collector
viii
For permission to study artifacts and for their courteous welcome and
assistance, I am indebted to the following: Yannick Linz (formerly Musée
d’Agen), Christopher Ratté, R. R. R. Smith (Aphrodisias excavations),
J.-M. Rouquette (Musées d’Arles), Mrs. Salda (National Archaeological
Museum, Athens), Anne Ziéglé and Michel Gourdin (Musée d’Aquitaine,
Bordeaux), the Société Archéologique de Bordeaux, Abdelmajid Ennabli
(Musée National de Carthage), Maria Aurenhammer (Ephesos excava-
tions), Bernard Ducasse (Musée de Libourne), the Société Archéologique
de Libourne, the late Georges Fouet (director of excavations at Montmau-
rin), T. Miro (Musée de Montmaurin), Magalie Puisségur, Valérie Parick-
miler-Duguet (Musée Henri IV, Nérac), Dominique Darde (Musée
Archéologique de Nîmes), Jane Shepherd, Anna Galina Zevi (Ostia Mu-
seum), Mathilde Avisseau-Broustet (Bibliothèque Nationale, Paris),
François Baratte (Musée du Louvre, Paris), Jean Gugole (director of exca-
vations at Séviac), Daniel Cazes, Jacques Grange (Musée Saint-Raymond,
Toulouse), and Sabine Faust (Rheinisches Landesmuseum, Trier).
In Winnipeg, the collegial atmosphere in the Classics Department and
in University College at the University of Manitoba augments the pleasure
of scholarship. Student assistants Jody Gordon, Jim Hamm, Craig Hardi-
man, Jane Heinrichs, and Ana Panic´ aided in aspects of the research and
editing. Jane Heinrichs deftly created several illustrations.
Finally, this work could not have been completed without the steadfast
support of my family. My parents have always encouraged my interests,
even when times seemed dark for the humanities. My husband, Mark
Lawall, has given not just advice but humor, companionship, and love, in
Ann Arbor, Winnipeg, Athens, and numerous other places. My daughter,
Sophie, brings me joy and laughter. To them all go my deepest thanks.
Contents
List of Figures xi
chapter one
Introduction 1
chapter two
Findspots, Functions, and the Burden of Proof:
Some Questions of Methodology 15
chapter three
Late Antique Villas in Southwest Gaul and Their
Sculptural Collections 29
chapter four
Issues of Style, Chronology, and Origins 91
chapter five
Paideiaand the World of Ausonius of Bordeaux:
The Social Environment of Late Mythological Statuary 138
chapter six
Learned Collectors across the Empire 165
chapter seven
Statuary, Paideia,and Collecting: Conclusions 228
Notes 233
Bibliography 283
Index 307
ix