1. Biography
Nikeratus was a sculptor in the Middle Hellenistic period. He was born in Athens and was the son of Euktemon. Like several other sculptors of the same period, Nikeratus left Attica and settled in Pergamon, where he worked for the Attalids.
2. Works
His artistic production is connected with the first School of sculpture of Pergamon.1 His works at Delos, Pergamon, as well as few ones transported to Rome have not been identified. However, relative information can be acquired from his signatures – some of which also bear the name of the sculptor Phyromachus-, as well as from Pliny’s references. On the inscribed bases, where both artists sign, the name of Nikeratus comes first. For this reason Nikeratus is believed to have been the teacher, if not the father, of Phyromachus.2
Nikeratus was specialised in the manufacture of bronze statues. Ancient sources attribute several works to him, not only free standing statues but also groups. The epigram on the dedication of Sosicrates found on Delos is very important.3 The text praises Philetairos the triumphant victor of the Galatian wars. The dedicator was probably Attalus I (241-197 BC), who intended to honour Philetairos (283-263 BC) the founder of the dynasty of Pergamon.4 In the text, Nikeratus is mentioned as the creator of this dedicatory sculpture. The reference to the royal title, as well as the form of the letters date the epigram and the artistic activity of Nikeratus to the second half of the 3rd cent. BC, that is during Attalus’ I reign.
His career probably continued until the beginning of Eumenes’ II (197-158 BC) reign.5 One of the most famous works of Nikeratus was a bronze group of Asclepius and Hygieia. It is assumed that its initial place must be sought in Pergamon, despite the lack of relative evidence. Furthermore, it has been suggested that it was placed in the first doric temple made of marble to be dedicated to these gods, which was built in the same period.6 The sculptures were taken to Rome and they were placed in the Temple of Concordia.
1. Nevertheless, Pliny does not cite Nikeratus among the artists who worked for the Greater Attalid Dedication. Phyromachus, Stratonicus of Cyzicus, Isigonus and Antigonus. Cf. Plin., HN 34.84.
2. Another view is that he simply studied sculpture under Nikeratus.
3. Λεβέντης, Ι., «Η Υγεία του Νικηράτου του Αθηναίου. Συμβολή στη μελέτη της πρώιμης πλαστικής της Περγάμου», in Palagia, Ο. - Coulson, W. (eds), Regional Schools in Hellenistic Sculpture, Proceedings of an International Conference held at the American School of Classical Studies at Athens 1996 (Oxbow Monograph 90, Oxford 1998), n. 47.
4. According to another view Philetairos must be identified with Eumenes’ II (197-158 BC) and Attalus’ II (158-138 BC) brother.
5. A drawing of Ciriaco d’Ancona might depict a work by Nikeratus. Its inscription reads: ‘Eumen est regis’. Cf. Λεβέντης, Ι., «Η Υγεία του Νικηράτου του Αθηναίου. Συμβολή στη μελέτη της πρώιμης πλαστικής της Περγάμου», in Palagia, Ο. - Coulson, W. (eds), Regional Schools in Hellenistic Sculpture, Proceedings of an International Conference held at the American School of Classical Studies at Athens 1996 (Oxbow Monograph 90, Oxford 1998), pp. 106-107.
6. The assumption that the sculpture was in the city but not in the Asclepieion seems also plausible.