Borghese Gladiator, after antiquity c. 19th century

Editor: This is a tiny plaster relief of the Borghese Gladiator, after antiquity, by the Pichler family. It feels like a souvenir. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Well, it speaks to the power of the Grand Tour. Replicas like this, readily available, democratized access to classical art. The question isn't just its artistic merit, but its role in shaping public perception of antiquity. Editor: So, it’s more about cultural influence than artistic innovation? Curator: Precisely! How does this mass production affect the perceived value and aura of the original sculpture, and who gets to define that value? Editor: I never considered the politics of plaster! It’s interesting to think about how reproductions change our relationship with art. Curator: Indeed. The Pichler family and their contemporaries facilitated a dialogue, albeit a mediated one, with the past.