The March of Silenus

Art Historical Context

The March of Silenus, an engraving created by Agostino dei Musi between 1401 and 1500, captures a lively mythological procession centered on Silenus, the companion of the wine god Dionysus. As a print in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, acquired through the Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund, this work reflects the growing importance of engraving during the Renaissance. The medium allowed artists to reproduce intricate designs on paper, making mythological subjects more widely accessible beyond the walls of palaces and churches. Agostino dei Musi’s technique demonstrates the precision and ...