IL NON-FINITO NELLA SCULTURA ELLENISTICA TRA MOTIVAZIONI TECNICHE ED ESITI FORMALI*

Abstract

A large number of stone sculptures, in the round and in relief, dating to the Hellenistic period have come
down to us in a more or less advanced stage of work, but still unfinished. The motivations and significance
of the phenomenon have not yet been investigated. This paper seeks to outline a general overview of the
issue, proposing a classification of the monuments and briefly discussing some problematic aspects. The
analysis carried out has made it possible to identify the following categories: 1. Sculptures abandoned in the
workshop in the early stage of work. 2. Sculptures in which the invisible parts have not been finished. 3. Accidentally
unfinished sculptures. 4. Sculptures completed with the piecing technique or with materials other
than marble. 5. Intentionally unfinished sculptures. In all cases it has become evident that painting played a
decisive role in the completion of the sculptures.