North Carolina Museum of Art

The North Carolina Museum of Art will complete a sculpture conservation project focusing on the marble patchwork Statue of Bacchus. The torso is a Roman Imperial copy of a rare early Classical Greek sculpture depicting an athletic nude male. Project activities will include the removal of the torso from its 16th-17th century limbs, the study of post-antique restoration materials and methods, and the reconstruction of the Bacchus by adding new replicas of the ancient components to the Baroque limbs and a re-creation of the missing right arm. The museum will develop an exhibition and digital experiences related to the sculpture's history as well as programmatic components that engage the public in the conservation process with behind-the-scenes inquiry-based interactive programs exploring how the scientific method is used to solve real-world art challenges.