STATUARY GROUP. THESUS FIGHTING THE MINOTAUR. The scene depicts the fight of the legendary hero of Athens, Theseus, against the Minotaur. mythical monster with the head of a bull and the body of a man, imprisoned in the labyrinth of in the labyrinth of Knossos on Crete. The same pose can be found on Greek vases from the classical period (fig.1-2) and probably inspired, like this group from the legendary lost work of the Greek sculptor Myron, which stood on the the Acropolis in Athens. Terracotta with traces of polychromy. Height 19 x approx. 24 cm. Hellenistic art, 2nd century BC Subject to thermoluminescence test results to be issued post-sale. An Hellenistic hollow moulded terracotta group of Theseus slaying the Minotaur. Fine orange clay with traces of polychromy onTheseus' cloak. Possibly modelled after the celebrated bronze sculpture group (now lost) of the Greek sculptor Myron (mid 5th cent. BCE), which stood on the Acropolis. Theseus, legendary King of Athens, was worshipped in his home city for his heroic slaying of the Minotaur, half-man, half-bull who inhabited the labyrinth of Knossos in Crete and killed 7 maidens and 7 Athenian youths in an annual sacrifice. The Myron group is represented on Athens coinage, vase paintings and inspired later sculptures. 2nd Century BCE. Subject to thermoluminescence test result which will be issued post-sale. Provenance Paul Collin Antiquités, Paris Private collection J. Grall, acquired in Paris in May 2012