Jason

This sculpture is Thorvaldsen’s breakthrough work. Jason was begun in Rome in 1802; finished in plaster and commissioned in marble by the rich English patron of the arts, Thomas Hope, in 1803; but only delivered 25 years later. This sculpture is Thorvaldsen’s breakthrough work. Jason was begun in Rome in 1802; finished in plaster and commissioned in marble by the rich English patron of the arts, Thomas Hope, in 1803; but only delivered 25 years later. Jason was a Greek mythological prince whose wicked uncle Pelias had unjustly taken power from Jason’s father, King Aison. To win back the throne, Jason needed to obtain the Golden Fleece, which was guarded by a dangerous dragon in a far-off land. Jason sailed off with his men to find it, and after surviving numerous dangers and challenges, the brave young man and his comrades finally found the Fleece; this sculpture depicts the proud Jason at the moment where, with the Fleece draped over his arm, he is going down to the ship that will ret