The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of December 19, 2025

Dancing Pan

c. 350–500

Egypt, Coptic period

limestone with traces of red polychromy
Overall: 34 x 18.1 cm (13 3/8 x 7 1/8 in.)
John L. Severance Fund 1955.68
Location: Not on view

Description

This relief sculpture demonstrates the survival of a purely pagan subject in the context of a Christian building. Even after the conversion of native Egyptians to Christianity, mythological subjects were not unusual in their art. Pan was the Greek god of woods and fields, flocks and herds, known in art by his goat's legs and pointed ears. He invented the reed pipes with which he charmed the nature goddesses known as nymphs.
  • (Mrs. Paul Mallon, New York).
  • The Cleveland Museum of Art. Handbook of the Cleveland Museum of Art/1966. Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1966. Reproduced: p. 30 archive.org
    The Cleveland Museum of Art. Handbook of the Cleveland Museum of Art/1969. Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1969. Reproduced: p. 30 archive.org
    The Cleveland Museum of Art. Handbook of the Cleveland Museum of Art/1978. Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1978. Reproduced: p. 36 archive.org
  • {{cite web|title=Dancing Pan|url=false|author=|year=c. 350–500|access-date=19 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1955.68