Capitoline Wolf

The Capitoline Wolf, known in Italian as the Lupa Capitolina, is a famous bronze sculpture. It depicts a central scene from the legendary founding of Rome. The sculpture shows a she-wolf nursing the mythical twin founders, Romulus and Remus. This image has served as a powerful symbol of Rome since ancient times. It is one of the most recognizable icons of ancient mythology.

Today, the sculpture is housed in the Palazzo dei Conservatori on the Capitoline Hill in Rome, Italy.

The sculpture consists of two distinct parts made in different eras. The wolf is depicted in a tense, watchful pose. Her ears are alert and her eyes are glaring as she watches for danger. In contrast, the human twins are executed in a completely different artistic style. They appear oblivious to their surroundings and are absorbed in nursing. These twins were added to the wolf much later, likely in the late 15th century AD. Scholars believe the sculptor Antonio del Pollaiuolo may have created them around 1471.

For many centuries, the origin of the wolf was a subject of great debate. Many scholars long believed it was an Etruscan work from the fifth century BC. The 18th-century historian Johann Joachim Winckelmann attributed it to an Etruscan maker based on the depiction of the fur. Some even suggested it was made by the artist Vulca, who worked on the Temple of Jupiter Capitolinus. However, recent scientific studies have challenged this traditional view. In the 21st century, researchers used radiocarbon and thermoluminescence dating to test the bronze.

These modern tests provided results that suggested a much later date. Some findings indicated the wolf was cast between 1021 and 1153 AD. This would place its creation in the Middle Ages rather than ancient times. Art historian Anna Maria Carruba noted that the statue was cast in a single piece. She used the lost-wax casting technique, which is a method for making metal shapes. While ancient Greeks and Romans usually cast bronzes from multiple pieces, single-piece casting was common in the Middle Ages for items like bells.

Despite these new theories, some experts still argue for an ancient origin. A 2019 radiocarbon study focused on organic residues in the casting cores. This study claimed the statue belongs firmly to the 11th or 12th centuries. However, researcher John Osborne argued that the dates were inconsistent. He noted that the metal contains copper from Sardinia, which is an Etruscan type. He also found no signs of the metal adulteration common in medieval times. On the balance of probabilities, Osborne believes the wolf is likely Etruscan.

The sculpture is also linked to ancient historical accounts. The Roman writer Cicero mentioned a gilt statue of a wolf that was struck by lightning in 65 BC. The Capitoline Wolf has damage on its paw that some believe corresponds to this strike. In the 12th century, the cleric Magister Gregorius described a wolf sculpture at the Lateran Palace. He noted that the wolf had once functioned as a fountain. In 1471, Pope Sixtus IV ordered the sculpture to be moved to its current location. This move helped form the nucleus of the Capitoline Museum.

The influence of the Capitoline Wolf extends far beyond Rome. Many replicas exist in various locations around the world. In the 20th century, several copies were sent to United States cities to encourage goodwill. A replica stands in Eden Park, Cincinnati, and another is in Rome, Georgia. Other copies can be found in China and at the Siena Duomo in Italy. The image is used in many modern contexts as well. It is the emblem for the A.S. Roma football club and was used for the 1960 Summer Olympics.