On view
Ancient Mediterranean Art
Relief of a seated poet, possibly Menander, with comedic masks,
1st century BCE.–early 1st century CE
Roman
Roman Imperial Period, ca. 30 BCE–476 CE
y1951-1
A beardless poet, possibly the comedian Menander, sits on a stool at the left, looking at a theatrical mask of a youth. Further to the right, positioned on the table, are two additional masks, one of a woman and one of a satyr, as well as a scroll, which presumably contained the text of the play he is in the process of composing. In ancient Athens, both tragic and comedic actors wore masks that allowed them to adopt and embody specific personae throughout a performance. While this relief is broken, a similar, more complete scene in the Vatican Museum features either a Muse or the personification of the theater standing to the far right, overseeing the poet’s work.
Information
Title
Relief of a seated poet, possibly Menander, with comedic masks
Dates
1st century BCE.–early 1st century CE
Medium
White marble, probably Italian
Dimensions
48.5 x 59.5 x 8.5 cm (17 7/16 x 23 7/16 x 3 3/8 in.)
Credit Line
Museum purchase, Caroline G. Mather Fund
Object Number
y1951-1
Place Made
Europe, Roman Empire, probably Italy
Culture
Period
Materials
Subject
Formerly in Stroganoff Collection, Rome; purchased from Piero Tozzi, New York, in 1951.
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