The Sarcophagus with the Myth of Dionysos and Ariadne, 235 A.D. Marble., H. 0.98 m; W. 2.08 m; D. 0.62 m. Louvre Palace Museum, Paris, France.
The Sarcophagus with the Myth of Dionysos and Ariadne is a Roman funerary sarcophagus made in 235 A.D. and found in a tomb in 1805, Saint-Médard-d'Eyrans near Bordeaux, France. The artist is unknown, yet it is known that the sarcophagus was made as a pair with The Sarcophagus with the Legend of Selene and Endymion (Louvre Palace Museum, n.d.). These two sarcophagi were made in the same workshop and were destined for a couple whose skeletons were found inside the boxes (Louvre Palace Museum, n.d.). The space in the center of the lid reserved for the inscription of the names of the deceased (the "tabula …show more content…
First Dionysus who is represented being robed and bearded, finds Ariadne and makes her his bride and then leads her away (Lenardon, Morford, & Sham, n.d.). In the next century Dionysus is shown as the young god with Ariadne, most splendidly aside him, surrounded by his followers (Lenardon, Morford, & Sham, n.d.). In the main relief the nude young god sits on a rock with Ariadne, who unveils herself in a gesture of acceptance of her husband (Lenardon, Morford, & Sham, n.d.). The lyre-playing centaurs along with Pan, and a Silenus also are represented in the relief. On the right two maenads are about to attack Pentheus (Lenardon, Morford, & Sham, n.d.). On the lid are dancing maenads, satyrs, and sileni. In the center he stands, robed and holding a thyrsus reversed, looking towards the sleeping Ariadne, near whom are maenads (Lenardon, Morford, & Sham, n.d.). The coming of Dionysus to Ariadne was significant in funerary art as an allegory of the waking of the soul from death to eternal life (Lenardon, Morford, & Sham, …show more content…
The curvy contoured figures show a sense of natural movement that allows the three-dimensional aspects to overlap. The scale and proportion of the subjects allows little room for the thick border that outlines the sarcophagus. The contrasting depth and linear lines that define the figures allow for natural transition of the appearance of different varies of colors.
The Sarcophagus with the Myth of Dionysos and Ariadne is a perfect example of Roman Art from the 3rd through the 5th centuries. Iconography is the study of symbolic subject matter in art and is where the imagery gains layers of meaning over time (Stokstad & Cothren, 2014). This piece is engulfed with iconography and overtime has taught us many interpretations of ho our past has developed our present. Fulfilling of it purpose, the intent to be constructed for a couple to return to where they once came. The allegory that appears on the relief is a beautiful story of love and acceptance into
The Sarcophagus with the Myth of Dionysos and Ariadne is a Roman funerary sarcophagus made in 235 A.D. and found in a tomb in 1805, Saint-Médard-d'Eyrans near Bordeaux, France. The artist is unknown, yet it is known that the sarcophagus was made as a pair with The Sarcophagus with the Legend of Selene and Endymion (Louvre Palace Museum, n.d.). These two sarcophagi were made in the same workshop and were destined for a couple whose skeletons were found inside the boxes (Louvre Palace Museum, n.d.). The space in the center of the lid reserved for the inscription of the names of the deceased (the "tabula …show more content…
First Dionysus who is represented being robed and bearded, finds Ariadne and makes her his bride and then leads her away (Lenardon, Morford, & Sham, n.d.). In the next century Dionysus is shown as the young god with Ariadne, most splendidly aside him, surrounded by his followers (Lenardon, Morford, & Sham, n.d.). In the main relief the nude young god sits on a rock with Ariadne, who unveils herself in a gesture of acceptance of her husband (Lenardon, Morford, & Sham, n.d.). The lyre-playing centaurs along with Pan, and a Silenus also are represented in the relief. On the right two maenads are about to attack Pentheus (Lenardon, Morford, & Sham, n.d.). On the lid are dancing maenads, satyrs, and sileni. In the center he stands, robed and holding a thyrsus reversed, looking towards the sleeping Ariadne, near whom are maenads (Lenardon, Morford, & Sham, n.d.). The coming of Dionysus to Ariadne was significant in funerary art as an allegory of the waking of the soul from death to eternal life (Lenardon, Morford, & Sham, …show more content…
The curvy contoured figures show a sense of natural movement that allows the three-dimensional aspects to overlap. The scale and proportion of the subjects allows little room for the thick border that outlines the sarcophagus. The contrasting depth and linear lines that define the figures allow for natural transition of the appearance of different varies of colors.
The Sarcophagus with the Myth of Dionysos and Ariadne is a perfect example of Roman Art from the 3rd through the 5th centuries. Iconography is the study of symbolic subject matter in art and is where the imagery gains layers of meaning over time (Stokstad & Cothren, 2014). This piece is engulfed with iconography and overtime has taught us many interpretations of ho our past has developed our present. Fulfilling of it purpose, the intent to be constructed for a couple to return to where they once came. The allegory that appears on the relief is a beautiful story of love and acceptance into