Works of Art
Roman Mosaic Panel of Satyr and Maenad
Period: 1st - 2nd century A.D.
Culture: Roman World
Category: Array
Dimensions: Height : 72.0cm; Length: 92.0cm
Price: POR
Provenance: Ex-Asfar & Sarkis, early 1960's.
Condition: Though fragmentary, the mosaic itself is in excellent state of preservation. Virtually no missing tesserae, and no restoration.
Description
This superb mosaic features two portraits within the same central frame; that of a Satyr and a Maenad (the bawdy followers of Dionysos). The detailed representations of these two figures, each associated with the god of the theatre, wine, revelry and festivities makes this both an interesting and beautiful composition. On the right, the face of a ‘shaggy’ satyr with two pointy horn on his forehead, and small pointed ears, is coupled with that of a maenad, or a female follower of the deity.
The mosaicist took great care in depicting the nuances of the two figures, particularly the gradations of their hair and skin, utilizing a myriad of subtly coloured tesserae in various material in including glass paste, to create an effect that is not only technically impressive but also truly visually mesmerizing. This mosaic is truly representative of the highest quality achieved in the eastern provinces of the empire.
We can suppose that this panel, originally framing a larger scene, found its place in a villa of an adept of Dionysian cult or in a temple dedicated to this divinity.
The representation of faces in mosaic panels is rare; as the artistes preferred to represent their subjects in full busts.
Bibliography
- DUNBABIN K.M.D., “Mosaics of the Greek and Roman World”, 1999.
- LING R., “Ancient Mosaics”,1998.
For examples of similar sized mosaic framing a larger central pannel, see :
- CIMOK F.(éd.), “Antioch Mosaics”, 1999, p. 38-39, #21.
- ANDREAE, B. : “Antike Bildmosaiken”, Mainz/ Rhein, 2003, p. 273, fig.275 (Dionysos head), p. 227, fig. 227 (theatre mask)