Fragment with Satyr and Maenad
Unknown Artist
300s CE
Medium
Linen: undyed; wool: dyed; plain weave ground with tapestry weave
Dimensions
{"overall":{"height":1.39,"width":0.864},"mounted":{"height":1.536,"width":1.004,"depth":0.039}}
Classification
Textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund
Accession Number
1975.6
About this artwork
This textile fragment depicts followers of Dionysus, the ancient Greco-Roman god of wine and merriment. A maenad, or female follower, prances in front of columns and archways, nude except for her opulent gold jewelry and pink veil. She gazes at the man, who wears a hair wreath and spotted leopard skin. A Greek inscription beside his halo confirms his identity as a satyr (a male follower). The weaver skillfully blended colors and fibers to produce the illusion of shadows and movement in the two b...