The Falling Gladiator 1861; cast 1907 William Rimmer American, born England The Boston-based Rimmer was a practicing physician with a superb command of anatomy. He turned to sculpture in the late 1850s, eventually abandoning his medical practice to head a successful art school. In this work, Rimmer conveys the wounded warriors physical stress by accentuating his rippling skin and the taut, straining muscles beneath. The tension between the raised arm and the dramatic, collapsing posture enhances the works emotional intensity and reflects Rimmers fascination with figures that rise and fall simultaneously. Although classical in theme, The Falling Gladiator differs from most contemporaneous American sculptures because it lacks a specific literary reference. Listen to experts illuminate this artwork's story Listen Play or pause #95. The Falling Gladiator, Part 1 Play or pause #95. The Falling Gladiator, Part 2 Supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies We're sorry, the transcript for this au