Torlonia Satyr, Bust of drunken Satyr, replica of the Herculaneum type
The Torlonia Satyr, which takes the form of a fragment of a statue later transformed into a bust, probably enriched the decoration of Roman villas or spa buildings in ancient times, places of great beauty embellished with mosaics, fountains and sculptures.
In Greek-Roman culture, the Satyrs were figures in which human and animal traits merged, joyful followers of the god of wine, Dionysus, who they accompanied in a festive procession. In the Imperial era, the representation of Satyrs in drunkenness was frequent, as the famous Satyr of Herculaneum testifies (today at the Archaeological Museum of Naples), of which the Torlonia bust is a replica: in both sculptures the mythical creature seems to be caught between the joys of a banquet, pleasantly intoxicated by the drink of Dionysus, his face somewhat crooked and his head, bearing small goat horns, tilting gently backwards.
Inventory: MT 111
Material: White marble
Technique: Work sculpted through the use of: chisels (also square-tipped and toothed) rasps
Dating: Imperial era
Origin: Giustiniani Collection
The Torlonia Satyr, which takes the form of a fragment of a statue later transformed into a bust, probably enriched the decoration of Roman villas or spa buildings in ancient times, places of great beauty embellished with mosaics, fountains and sculptures.
In Greek-Roman culture, the Satyrs were figures in which human and animal traits merged, joyful followers of the god of wine, Dionysus, who they accompanied in a festive procession. In the Imperial era, the representation of Satyrs in drunkenness was frequent, as the famous Satyr of Herculaneum testifies (today at the Archaeological Museum of Naples), of which the Torlonia bust is a replica: in both sculptures the mythical creature seems to be caught between the joys of a banquet, pleasantly intoxicated by the drink of Dionysus, his face somewhat crooked and his head, bearing small goat horns, tilting gently backwards.
Inventory: MT 111
Material: White marble
Technique: Work sculpted through the use of: chisels (also square-tipped and toothed) rasps
Dating: Imperial era
Origin: Giustiniani Collection
