Artwork Page for Dancing Satyr Group

Details / Information for Dancing Satyr Group

Dancing Satyr Group

500–475 BCE

Greece, Boeotia

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Medium
painted terracotta
Measurements
Overall: 8.4 x 11 x 5.6 cm (3 5/16 x 4 5/16 x 2 3/16 in.)
Credit Line
John L. Severance Fund 1992.352
Public Domain
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Location
102C Greek
Print
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Did You Know?

Satyrs, or lustful, drunken woodland gods, are the biggest partiers in ancient Greek mythology.

Description

Part man and part beast, satyrs were mythical woodland creatures. In art, they were depicted with the ears and tail of a goat or horse, sometimes with hooves, and in a high state of sexual arousal. Satyrs often accompanied Dionysus, the god of wine, in his drinking bouts and other escapades. These three probably once decorated the rim of a large punch-bowl-shaped vessel for serving wine.
Three blotchy orange painted terracotta sculptures depict nude dancing satyrs, part-man and part-beast, in a state of sexual arousal. They have oval beards and receding hairlines. The satyrs slide their legs wide, arms flung out to the sides. One satyr folds one arm across his chest, holding the other up in the air, hand broken off. They all tilt their heads to the side, leaning back into a cylindrical support arcing out from their backs.

Dancing Satyr Group

500–475 BCE

Greece, Boeotia

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