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Hypnos

Artist (Inverurie, Scotland, 1856 - 1938)
Associated
Date1900
Mediumbronze
ClassificationsSculptures
DimensionsOverall: Height: 49 cm, Width: 66 cm, Depth: 28 cm
AcquisitionPurchased in 1969.
CopyrightOut of copyright - CC0
LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Object numberABDAG004674
About MeJames Pittendrigh Macgillivray was closely aligned to the Celtic revival and wrote poems in the "doric". His art, however, was more often inspired, as here, by Greek mythology.

The Greek god of Sleep, Hypnos is normally depicted as a young man with wings attached to his head. According to Greek mythology, he put men to sleep by touching them with his wand or by fanning them with his dark wings. Macgillivray's choice of a female Hypnos reflects the fin de siècle fashion for the 'femme fatale'.

More About Me
Hypnos was the Greek god of sleep, who would fan people to sleep with the wings on his temples. Macgillivray has portrayed him as a young woman, following contemporary fashions for the "femme fatale".
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