Eros Bound Sculpture

The sculpture is a bronze head of a young man lying on the ground, wrapped in bandages, with empty eye sockets and lying on the pavement. Many interpret this sculpture as a person who is sick with love, and the blindfold symbolizes how blind a person becomes when in love. Incidentally, a marble copy of the Krakow sculpture "Bound Eros" is located in Italy, in the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli. The third copy is retained by the artist.

The sculpture weighs 1,900 kilograms and measures 370 cm in length, 290 cm in width, and 225 cm in height, and is valued at approximately half a million euros.

The renowned sculptor Igor Mitoraj was born in Poland in 1944. In 1966, he graduated from the Krakow Academy of Fine Arts and began his career. Undoubtedly, living in Italy had a significant impact on his work. The works of Michelangelo, which always showed an affinity for the ancient world and the history of ancient Greece, served as a source of inspiration for the sculptor.

Mitoraj's creations demonstrate how fragile and vulnerable the essence of a human being can be. His sculptures are riddled with cracks and wrinkles, their empty eye sockets gazing out at the world. Igor Mitoraj is particularly known for his truncated figures and body fragments, which portray the decay of beauty, aging, and emotions.

This sculpture was presented to Krakow in 2003, sparking debate over its location. Initially intended for the exterior of Galeria Krakowska, but Mitoraj argued against placing his art near a commercial venue. Despite objections from historians and locals, it was eventually situated in the historic Main Square. Many felt that the ancient Market Square was not suitable for such an expressive figure. The Krakow sculpture "Bound Eros" was placed almost opposite the city's main sanctuary – the Saint Mary's Basilica. Many citizens considered its proximity to be blasphemous.

Nevertheless, the sculpture Eros Bendato has become a very popular city attraction. Even despite the criticism, many locals arrange meetings specifically at "the head". Interestingly, another feature of the sculpture is that it is hollow inside, and one can enter it. Of course, this fact makes "Eros" very attractive among tourists. Pictures of travelers with their heads poking out of the eye sockets have become true calling cards of Krakow.

In 2009, the sculpture "Bound Eros" was included in the list of outstanding monuments of the world.