Detail of the Capitoline Wolf in the Capitoline Museum, June 2012

Capitoline She-wolf

Sculpture

5th century BC or medieval

Bronze

cm 75

The She-wolf, with its evocative power, is the symbol of the city. The sondation of Sixtus IV brought the statue to the Capitoline Hill. Initially, it stood in the fifteenth century facade of the palace. Then, it was transferred inside the palace, on the occasion of Michelangelo's architectural interventions. At that time, the twins were added, attributed to some by Pollaiolo. They transformed the ancient Lateran symbol of justinc into "Mater Romanorum".

Acquisition data: Formerly at the Lateran. Sixtus IV donation (1471)

Inventory: inv. MC1181

Text from: en.museicapitolini.org/percorsi/percorsi_per_sale/apparta...