The Capitoline Wolf Suckling Romulus and Remus

Central Italian 15th or 16th Century (Possibly Roman 15th or 16th Century)

National Gallery of Art

A free-standing, bronze she-wolf stands as two male infants attempt to nurse at her teats in this sculpture. In this photograph, the wolf stands sideways facing our left with her head turned to look at us, eight teats hanging heavily along her underside. Her wide eyes are framed by raised but furrowed brows, and cup-like ears curl back on her round head. Her jaws are slightly open revealing sharp teeth. Her lean body is partly covered by tight clusters of parallel, undulating lines around her head, neck, and along her back, suggesting fur. Beneath her, one boy sits, rocking back on a low rock, and the other kneels. Both tilt their heads back and spread their arms wide as they reach for her teats. The bronze of the boys and wolf are rubbed gold in some areas, especially on the wolf’s ribs. The trio rest on a green and black marble pedestal.