Dancing Eros
Unknown Artist
300–200 BCE
Medium
terracotta
Dimensions
h. 29 cm
Classification
Sculpture
Department
Greek and Roman Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Gift of the John Huntington Art and Polytechnic Trust
Accession Number
1915.1
About this artwork
The region of Myrina in Asia Minor (now part of modern Turkey) is known for its abundance of ancient terracotta figurines. Eros, the Greek god of love, was especially popular. Here he is depicted as a nude youth, not a small child. Eros’ extra-long legs and arms, though only partially preserved, are thrown about in a carefree dance. He wears a celebratory floral crown atop his long curls. Once probably fully painted, only traces of red pigment survive on the face. A figurine like this one may ha...