A Cantharus
ca. 1575
Classification
classicism
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Museum purchase through gift of various donors
Accession Number
1901-39-463
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
**A Cantharus** ca. 1575 artist Smithsonian American Art Museum Step into the world of Renaissance classicism with *A Cantharus*, a captivating artifact dated around 1575 now housed in the Smithsonian American Museum. Acquired through a generous museum purchase funded by various donors, this piece belongs to the Smithsonian Collection and embodies the era's fascination with ancient forms. A cantharus, traditionally a large two-handled vessel rooted in Greco-Roman antiquity, would have served ceremonial purposes—evoking Bacchic revelry or Christian symbolism in later interpretations. ...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...