How did Campana's art collection reach the Hermitage?

Giampietro Campana assembled one of the 19th century's greatest collections of antiquities and sculptures, including famed Greek and Roman works. Following the financial ruin of the marquis, significant portions of his collection were acquired by Emperor Alexander II in 1861. These pieces, including notable sculptures like the Bust of Antinous-Dionysus and the Statue of Jupiter, were subsequently delivered to the Hermitage Museum in Russia.

What we know

• Giampietro Campana assembled a massive collection of Greek and Roman sculpture and antiquities during the nineteenth century. [2]
• Following the financial ruin of the marquis, Emperor Alexander II of Russia acquired pieces from Campana's collection. [3, 4]
• The Bust of Antinous-Dionysus, formerly part of Campana's collection, was acquired by the Hermitage in 1861. [3]
• The Statue of Jupiter, found in the Villa of Domitian and once owned by Campana, was bought by Emperor Alexander II and sent to the Hermitage in 1861. [4]

Where to go next

• whoWho was Giampietro Campana?
• the bigger pictureWhat is the history of the Hermitage Museum?
• compared withHow did the Louvre acquire parts of the Campana collection?
• what caused itWhat caused the financial ruin of Marquis Campana?
• a case in pointWhat are the features of the Bust of Antinous-Dionysus?
• an unexpected connectionWhy did a Roman sculpture become a secret wedding altar in Soviet Leningrad?The Bust of Antinous-Dionysus from Campana's collection became a secret focal point for the underground gay community in Leningrad to take oaths and hold impromptu weddings during the Soviet era when homosexuality was criminalized.

Sources

• [1]Giampietro Campana (Wikidata Q442379) · CC0 1.0
• [2]Giampietro Campana · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [3]Antinous-Dionysus (Hermitage) · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [4]Statue of Jupiter (Hermitage) · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [5]Hermitage Museum · CC BY-SA 4.0