Horses of Saint Mark ancient monument in Venice

Horses of Saint Mark, also known as the Horses of Lysippos, are sculptures of four horses in full gallop, standing in the Basilica of Saint Mark in Venice.

The gilded horses were once part of a quadriga created for the Rhodians. Unfortunately, only the horses have survived from the chariot to this day. These bronze statues, covered in gold, are the only ancient artefacts of this kind that have endured to the present times.

As a result, replicas have taken their place atop the Basilica of Saint Mark in Venice, while the originals can be admired in the Marcian Museum, in the underground chambers.

Creator of Steeds Lysippos of Sicyon

Lysippus of Sicyon, the creator of the famous quadriga, was initially an exceptionally skilled blacksmith who worked for none other than Alexander the Great. Over time, he transitioned to sculpting and other forms of art.

Lysippus was born in the city of Sicyon, the cradle of renowned Greek artistic schools. One of the masters there was Aristocles, a Greek metallurgist, sculptor, and painter. Under his guidance, Lysippus learned the craft of blacksmithing while observing the work of sculptors and painters.

Due to his earlier metalworking experience, Lysippus later in life often chose bronze as his creative material. It was a durable, novel, and popular material among Greek artists, used as willingly as marble.

Initially working as a sculptor, Lysippus crafted figures of famous soldiers and athletes. At one point, his works caught the eye of Alexander the Great, who took the young artist under his wing, bringing him along on expeditions to Asia and Egypt.

Many of the sculptures created during these travels have mostly disappeared or been destroyed. However, it is known that Alexander valued Lysippus’s art, generously rewarding him for his work.

The works of Lysippus, the memory of which has survived to this day

Lysippus immortalized the Battle of Granicus in sculpture. Alexander the Great gifted this masterpiece to the ancient city of Dion, situated beneath Mount Olympus, in exchange for his favour.

During the siege of Tyre by Alexander’s forces, a sculpture of Heracles emerged. It was purportedly so precise and detailed that the inhabitants of the besieged city swore that the statue moved as if alive.

However, Lysippus’s most famous works almost always depicted the great ruler, Alexander. Some of his more renowned sculptures include Alexander on horseback and the Hermes Azara. Thanks to Lysippus’s works, we have today a precise depiction of Alexander and his distinctive style.

The famous Steeds of Lysippos from Venice

According to stories and legends, Lysippus created (or instructed his students to create) a life-sized quadriga for the inhabitants of the island of Rhodes, located at the crossroads of two continents: Europe and Asia.

This quadriga adorned the island until, for reasons unknown, it was transferred to Chios. It stood there until the 5th century AD. The Byzantine Emperor Theodosius II was captivated by it and ordered its relocation to Constantinople, where it stood at the city’s largest racing track.

Horses of Saint Mark in Europe

The Horses of Lysippus (Horses of Saint Mark) made their way to Europe during the Fourth Crusade when Christian forces captured and plundered Constantinople. Unfortunately, after a long journey, only the horses reached Europe; the sculpture of the chariot and its driver went missing. Isolated, the gilded horses were placed atop the Basilica of Saint Mark in Venice.

Our ancient masterpiece faced another journey during the Napoleonic Wars. The French seized Venice and removed the horses from the basilica to adorn a triumphal arch in Paris. However, the French emperor was eventually overthrown, and Lysippus’s Horses returned to the pinnacle of the church in Venice.

Over time, it was deemed that this work was too precious to remain exposed outdoors. After restoration, faithful copies replaced the originals at the basilica, while the genuine sculptures can be admired in the Marcian Museum in Venice.

Lysippos, Horses of Saint Mark, and his other works curiosities

• Quadriga is a two-wheeled ancient chariot harnessed to four horses. Some believe it was an ancient battle chariot, but in reality, it was used mainly in triumphal processions and festivals. The Romans organized races with such chariots in their arenas.
• The Horses of Lysippus are made of bronze and externally gilded.
• The sculpture is hollow inside.
• The horses stand at 235 centimetres in height and 250 centimetres in length. The entire quadriga probably had a length of over 5 meters.
• The island of Rhodes, for which the quadriga was created, is famous for numerous legends and myths. It was on this island that the colossal statue of Helios, the renowned Colossus of Rhodes, was said to stand. It was supposed to be over 30 meters tall and weigh more than 200 tons. To this day, it remains one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
• Lysippus initially was a simple blacksmith.
• Alexander the Great appointed Lysippus as his court sculptor after seeing one of his works.
• Lysippus participated in many conquests of the great ruler, creating artworks depicting his victories on demand.
• On the sculptures of the horses, traces of sharp tools are visible. After the capture of Constantinople, looters attempted to scrape off the gilding from the statues.

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