Are you fascinated by ancient sculptures and want to discover one of the most iconic works in the Capitoline Museums?
The Spinario awaits you in the fascinating Exedra Hall of the world’s oldest public museum!
The Spinarius is in fact one of the most famous statues of Roman antiquity, a masterpiece of grace and naturalness that carries with it, to this day, all the culture for beauty that characterized first the Hellenic civilization, and then the Roman civilization.
In this article we will first see its incredible history. Next, I will give you precise directions on where to find it and how to admire it live.
Are you ready? Read on to learn all the details about this extraordinary work!
A MOMENT! If you want to admire the Spinario without stress, you’d better book in advance! In fact, the Capitoline Museums attract thousands of visitors every day and the lines at the entrance can be really long. Be ready: buy your skip-the-line ticket now and enjoy art without unnecessary waiting!
Capitoline Museums Tickets
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What is the “Spinario”? Description of the work
The Spinarium of the Capitoline Museums
The Spinario, as we said, is one of the most fascinating sculptures of antiquity, as simple in its depiction as it is incredibly refined in its execution.
Made of bronze, it depicts a young man sitting on a stool while, with extreme concentration, removing a thorn from his left foot. The gesture is natural and spontaneous, and at the same time charged with timeless grace.
The work is striking in its striking realism: the boy has his torso tilted slightly forward, his right leg bent under his body, and his face absorbed, almost oblivious to the world around him.
The details are meticulous, from the hair rendered in soft ringlets to the slight furrow running across the forehead, a sign of the young man’s effort in pulling out the thorn.
Not surprisingly, this combination of naturalness and idealization has made the Spinario an artistic role model for centuries.
Although its origins are probably Greek (4th-3rd centuries B.C.), it is with the Romans that the statue acquires even greater importance: it is considered a perfect example of classical beauty and refined technical skill.
The work is one of the rare bronze statues of antiquity that have come down to us, a true miracle of art history. Much of the bronze sculpture, in fact, was melted down over the centuries to recover the metal, which makes the survival of the Spinarius even more extraordinary!
But who is the boy depicted? A simple shepherd, caught in an everyday moment? Or perhaps a young mythological hero?
The answer is not so obvious. According to some interpretations, the Spinario may represent a young shepherd caught in a moment of pause, an image of everyday life that underscores the Greek and Roman artistic sensibility for realism.
However, an ancient medieval tradition read into this figure the image of a legendary hero, identifying him with the young Martius Fedele, a shepherd boy who, despite his foot injury, would carry a vital message to the Roman Senate, thus embodying the value of resistance and civic duty.
Beyond interpretations, what makes the Spinario such an iconic work is its intimate humanity.
He is not a warrior, a god or an emperor, but a boy absorbed in a common gesture, familiar to anyone.
This immediacy and the delicacy of his attitude made him a model of beauty and grace, captured in numerous works of Renaissance and modern art.
But its history does not stop with antiquity. The Spinarius became part of the papal collections in the 13th century, which makes this work one of the first classical sculptures to be displayed in the Capitol, where it still stands today.
Over the centuries, it has fascinated artists and scholars, so much so that even Michelangelo and Donatello were inspired by its posture for some of their works.
Its appeal spans time, demonstrating how a simple gesture can encapsulate an entire era and continue to speak to observers of every generation.
Tickets for Capitoline Museums
Purchase online. Choose the time you prefer. Visit the Capitoline Museums, the Ancient Agora, the Roman Agora, Hadrian’s Library and other archaeological sites.
You can cancel for free up to the day before your visit.
Where is the Boy with Thorn located in the Capitoline Museums?
Detail of the foot of the Spinario
The Spinario, as anticipated, is housed in the Capitoline Museums. More precisely, the work is located in the Palazzo dei Conservatori, inside the Sala Esedra: a bright and airy environment that enhances the beauty of the sculpture to the fullest.
Placed on a pedestal that enhances its visibility, the Spinario is one of the most photographed and admired works by visitors to the museum.
Its understated charm, combined with the extraordinary rarity of the original bronze, attracts thousands of art lovers, scholars, and tourists every day from all over the world.
But the Spinario is certainly not the only treasure of the Exedra Hall. In the same location are other iconic works of ancient art history, including the famous Lupa Capitolina, the undisputed symbol of the city of Rome.
This bronze statue, depicting the she-wolf suckling Romulus and Remus, is one of the most emblematic masterpieces of the Roman tradition, and it still arouses debates among historians about its dating and origin.
In addition to the She-wolf, the room also houses the majestic Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius, one of the few equestrian bronzes from the Roman era that have come down to us.
Originally placed in Capitoline Square, the statue was moved inside the Capitoline Museums to preserve it from the elements, while a faithful copy still occupies the center of the square designed by Michelangelo.
The work, depicting the emperor Marcus Aurelius in the act of extending his arm in a gesture of clemency and command, is a masterpiece of realism and grandeur, a symbol of the emperor’s greatness and stoic philosophy.
The Exedra Hall, where these fantastic works are displayed, is itself a place of great visual impact.
Here the works fit harmoniously into a context that celebrates classical sculpture and its influence over the centuries.
The arrangement of the statues and studied lighting allow visitors to appreciate every detail of the works on display, once again making the experience of visiting the Capitoline Museums a fascinating journey into the heart of Rome’s art and history.
How to visit the Spinario: tickets and hours
The Capitoline She-wolf of the Capitoline Museums
To see this wonderful work of art for yourself , all you have to do is arrange a visit to the Capitoline Museums.
The Museums are open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., with last admission allowed one hour before closing.
The Spinario is located inside the Palazzo dei Conservatori, in the Sala Esedra, which can be visited with admission tickets that include access to all permanent collections and temporary exhibitions housed in the museum complex.
To avoid long lines, especially during peak tourist periods, it is advisable to purchase tickets online in advance. You can do this conveniently here on our website.
If you do not know which one to choose, know that we have dedicated a special article to this very topic, to help you locate the right ticket for your needs.
If you want to save even more, remember that here you can find all the information about free admission days for specific groups or events, such as “Sunday at the Museum.”
For those who wish to explore further, audio guides and guided tours are available, which allow you to discover historical details and curiosities about the works on display, including the Spinario.
Finally, for a more relaxed and immersive experience, I recommend visiting the Capitoline Museums in the early morning hours or on weekdays, when attendance is lower than on weekends and holidays. You can find all our top recommendations here.
The Capitoline Museums’ Spinario: frequently asked questions
The Spinarius is an ancient sculpture depicting a young boy intent on removing a thorn from the sole of his foot. It is one of the best-known examples of Hellenistic sculpture and one of the Capitoline Museums’ top works.
The Spinarius is located in the Capitoline Museums, inside the Palazzo dei Conservatori and more specifically in the Sala Esedra, along with a rich collection of Roman sculpture. The statue is one of the most prized works in the collection and represents one of the symbols of the beauty and artistry of ancient Roman art.
The Capitoline Museums are named after the Capitoline Hill, the hill on which they are located. The Capitoline Hill is one of the seven hills of Rome and has historically been the political and religious heart of the city, home to temples and symbolic monuments.
The time needed to visit the Capitoline Museums depends on your personal interest and the pace at which you wish to explore the halls. In general, we recommend at least two and a half to three hours for a fairly thorough visit. However, if you want to enjoy every detail and stop to admire the most significant works, you may need even more than three hours.
Conclusion
Detail of the Spinarius musculature
Well, here we are at the end of this little in-depth look at the famous Spinarius of the Capitoline Museums.
As we have seen together, this extraordinary sculpture, a symbol of Hellenic artistry, is not only a work of art, but a real piece of history.
The bronze still tells the story of a simple everyday moment, but transforming it into eternal beauty!
Its placement in the Sala Esedra, then, is nothing short of perfect to enhance it, and allow visitors to admire it in all its magnificence, surrounded by the other wonders of the Capitoline collection.
I hope I have satisfied any curiosity about the times and tickets to see it live, but should you still have any doubts, please do not hesitate to contact us by leaving a comment below.
And after answering the most frequently asked questions, it only remains for me to advise you to visit the Spinario at your leisure, taking your time to observe its details and reflect on the intensity of such a simple but so meaningful gesture.
As you say, are you also not in your skin at the idea of being able to see the Spinario live? Well, what are you waiting for! Book your ticket to the Capitoline Museums now and enjoy a visit with no waiting!
Tickets for Capitoline Museums
Buy online. Choose the time you prefer. Visit the Capitoline Museums, the Ancient Agora, the Roman Agora, Hadrian’s Library and other archaeological sites.
You can cancel for free up to the day before your visit.
Cover photo: ID 153038223 @ Konstantinos Papaioannou | Dreamstime.com
