Puteal (wellhead) with Narcissus and Echo, and Hylas and the Nymphs
Unknown Artist
2nd century
Medium
Marble
Dimensions
Height: 40 15/16 in. (104 cm) Diameter: 26 3/8 in. (67 cm) Height of base: 8 11/16 in. (22 cm)
Classification
Stone Sculpture
Culture & Period
Roman · Antonine or Severan
Department
Greek and Roman Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase, Lila Acheson Wallace, Howard S. and Nancy Marks, Mr. and Mrs. Ronald S. Lauder, The Jaharis Family Foundation Inc., Philodoroi, Leon Levy Foundation, Renée E. and Robert A. Belfer, Mr. and Mrs. John A. Moran, Mark Fisch and Rachel Davidson, Annette de la Renta, Beatrice Stern, Frederick J. Iseman, The Abner Rosen Foundation Inc., Mr. and Mrs. Richard L. Chilton Jr., Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Barbara G. Fleischman, in memory of Lawrence A. Fleischman, and Malcolm Hewitt Wiener Foundation Gifts; and The Bothmer Purchase and Diane Carol Brandt Funds, 2019
Accession Number
2019.7
Tags
Art Historical Context
This marble puteal, or wellhead, from the 2nd century offers a striking glimpse into Roman daily life and artistic taste during the Antonine or Severan periods. Standing about 41 inches tall, the cylindrical stone would have capped a well or cistern, transforming a utilitarian object into a work of art. Carved in high relief, its surface features two popular mythological episodes drawn from Greek tales: the story of Narcissus gazing at his reflection while Echo pines nearby, and the abduction of the youth Hylas by enamored water nymphs. Both narratives center on water, making them especially f...