The Death of Hippolytus or Fall of Phaeton (1500s): Art, History and Details

The Death of Hippolytus or Fall of Phaeton (1500s) is in the Cleveland Museum of Art collection. The museum's creator attribution is Moderno (Italian, 1467–1528).

The work and its context

The museum's open-access catalogue describes the work:

This composition's drama comes from the horses' twisting bodies—rhythmically fitting in the circular frame—as well as their dynamic and individuated expressions. Many copies and variants of this popular design exist, some with architectural or wooded backgrounds. Yet, the subject matter is still being debated. The waves along the bottom edge recall two possible classical narratives that relate to bodies of water. First, Hippolytus, sent into exile for the false accusation that he was responsible for his stepmother's death, was killed when Poseidon sent monsters to drown the young man and his chariot in the sea. However, the plaquette has also been connected to Phaeton, the son of Apollo, who attempted to drive the sun god's chariot. Because Phaeton was unable to control the reins, Zeus struck the youth with a bolt of lightning-saving the earth, but hurtling the young boy and horses into the river Eridanos.

Object facts

• Title: The Death of Hippolytus or Fall of Phaeton
• Date: 1500s
• Creator attribution: Moderno (Italian, 1467–1528)
• Culture: Italy
• Type: Sculpture
• Technique: bronze
• Dimensions: Diameter: 10.2 cm (4 in.)
• Collection: Sculpture
• Department: European Painting and Sculpture
• Accession number: 1969.17

Collection credit

Lawrence Hitchcock Fund

View the collection record

See the museum's photographs and full catalogue entry. Catalogue text is reproduced from the Cleveland Museum of Art's open-access data, with HTML formatting removed. This object and its supplied image are designated CC0.