In the lecture, we explored the phenomenon of idealized masculinity — a standard that originated in antiquity and continues to subtly influence European notions of manhood to this day.

How did it come about that the strong male torso became a symbol of the ideal citizen? Instead of the usual study of Roman marble copies, the lecturer guided the audience through an exciting journey of original works, focusing on rare bronze originals from the classical period. We learned the intricacies of ancient casting technology and got answers to those questions about nude sculptures that often arise in museum galleries but feel awkward to ask a guide.