( fl c. 540–c. 537 BC). Greek sculptors of the Archaic period from Chios. Pliny’s date for their activity in the 60th Olympiad (540–537 BC) is corroborated by the epigraphically established date (mid-6th century BC) of their father Archermos of Chios, the probable sculptor of the Nike of Delos (Athens, N. Archaeol. Mus., 21). Knowledge of their work is derived entirely from literary sources. Most famous was their image of the Ephesian poet Hipponax, who was apparently incensed by its unflattering realism and responded with verses so bitter that the artists were driven to suicide (Pliny: Natural History XXXVI.xi–xiii). This anecdote was known to late commentators but was already questioned by Pliny, who knew of later works by the two at Iasos, Chios and Delos. Since brutally realistic portraits seem alien to 6th-century sculpture, the reference may be to some informal caricature. Pliny also mentioned sculptures by Bupalos and Athenis in fastigio (probably pedimental rather than acroteria) on Augustus’ Temple of Palatine Apollo (ded. 28 BC), as on all Augustus’ temples. Some may have been copies or archaistic works, but a fragmentary head of Athena in genuine East Greek Archaic style has been found on the Palatine (Rome, Antiqua. Palatino). Pausanias twice mentioned a sculptor Bupalos alone, whose works included a Tyche at Smyrna (IV.xxx.6; apparently the first to be shown with polos (headdress) and cornucopia) and groups of Charites at Smyrna and Pergamon (IX.xxxv.6). The subjects and locations of these works may imply the existence of a second sculptor Bupalos, active in the Hellenistic period, with whom Heidenreich associated works of an East Greek archaizing Hellenistic style.

• Bupalos
  • Archermos of Chios