The Dying Slave (1513 – 1515; Rome, Italy) by Michelangelo

The artwork in question is “The Dying Slave,” a distinguished sculpture created by Michelangelo between the years 1513 and 1515 in Rome, Italy. This piece is an exemplar of the High Renaissance art movement and is currently housed in the Louvre, Paris, France.

“The Dying Slave” presents a striking figure intricately carved from marble. The subject appears sensuously posed, with one arm raised behind his head and the other hand gently touching his chest, evoking an expressive sense of languor and resignation. The delicate details, from the curls of the hair to the definition of the musculature, demonstrate Michelangelo’s masterful ability to convey human emotions and physical forms. The semi-reclined posture and the serene, yet pained, facial expression contribute to the profound narrative of struggle and surrender embodied in this iconic sculpture.

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