The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of December 19, 2025

Print in black ink with three bearded people in draping robes clustered on the left, one wearing a crown, looking down and gesturing with their right hand to thee nude figures. Two half-man, half-goat satyrs support a central figure crouching down, facing our left and looking to their right. Behind these three, in the upper right corner, a donkey with a furrowed brow looks out from behind trees.

Silenus and King Midas

mid 16th century

Giulio Bonasone

(Italian, c. 1510–after 1576)

after Perino del Vaga

(Italian, 1501–1547)
Italy, 16th century
engraving
Sheet: 16.9 x 22.9 cm (6 5/8 x 9 in.); Platemark: 15.9 x 21.9 cm (6 1/4 x 8 5/8 in.)
Mr. and Mrs. Charles G. Prasse Collection 1968.256
Catalogue raisonné: Bartsch XV.136.89 ; Massari 97
Location: Not on view

Description

In Greek mythology Silenus was an old, drunken satyr (half-man, half-goat), who visited King Midas and was graciously received. In gratitude for Midas's generous hospitality, Dionysus, the god of wine and former pupil of Silenus, granted the king one wish. Midas asked for the power to turn everything that he touched into gold. However, he soon regretted his choice, for he was unable to eat food or drink water, as they also turned to gold. Finally, Dionysus released him from the enchantment.
  • Mannerism: Italian, French, and Netherlandish Prints, 1520-1620. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (August 3-October 26, 1997).
    Cleveland, Ohio: The Cleveland Museum of Art; 8/3/97 - 10/26/97. "Mannerism: Italian, French, and Netherlandish Prints, 1520-1620."
    Connoisseurship in Italian Figural Compositions. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (October 21, 1980-February 15, 1981).
    Year in Review for 1968. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (January 29-March 9, 1969).
  • {{cite web|title=Silenus and King Midas|url=false|author=Giulio Bonasone, Perino del Vaga|year=mid 16th century|access-date=19 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1968.256