Metropolitan Museum of Art- Medusa Exhibit

Brooch Maker:Firm of Castellani Maker:Mosaic possibly by Luigi Podio Date:before 1888 Culture:Italian Medium:Glass micromosaic, gold Dimensions:Overall: 1 1/2 x 2 13/16 in. (3.8 x 7.1 cm) Classification:Metalwork-Jewelry Credit Line:Gift of Jacqueline Loewe Fowler, 2007 Accession Number:2007.299.1 The pale yellow-gold mount is a subtle foil for the head of medusa, whose grisly coiffure crawling with snakes is no less exquisitely configured in blond hues of the tesserated glass known as micromosaic. Luigi Podio was the chief micromosaic specialist in the Roman firm of Fortunato Pio Castellani. Matching ancient imagery with technologies also re-created from classical antiquity, Castellani served an avid international clientele. Text from: www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/235835

Brooch Maker:Firm of Castellani Maker:Mosaic possibly by Luigi Podio Date:before 1888 Culture:Italian Medium:Glass micromosaic, gold Dimensions:Overall: 1 1/2 x 2 13/16 in. (3.8 x 7.1 cm) Classification:Metalwork-Jewelry Credit Line:Gift of Jacqueline Loewe Fowler, 2007 Accession Number:2007.299.1 The pale yellow-gold mount is a subtle foil for the head of medusa, whose grisly coiffure crawling with snakes is no less exquisitely configured in blond hues of the tesserated glass known as micromosaic. Luigi Podio was the chief micromosaic specialist in the Roman firm of Fortunato Pio Castellani. Matching ancient imagery with technologies also re-created from classical antiquity, Castellani served an avid international clientele. Text from: www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/235835

Pair of terracotta plaques with glass inlays Period:Hellenistic Date:late 4th century B.C. Culture:Greek, South Italian Medium:Terracotta, glass Dimensions:length 5 11/16in. (14.5cm) Classification:Terracottas Credit Line:Purchase, Sandra Brue Gift, 1998 Accession Number:1998.210.1, .2 The Homeric sea monster Scylla raises her right hand and holds a ship’s rudder in her left. Similar terracotta plaques, which are sometimes gilt, are known to have been used to decorate funerary klinai (couches) placed in Hellenistic tombs. Funerary klinai decorated with reliefs of ivory, gold, and glass have also been discovered in the fourth century B.C. tombs of the Macedonian kings at Vergina. Text from: www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/256901

Pair of terracotta plaques with glass inlays Period:Hellenistic Date:late 4th century B.C. Culture:Greek, South Italian Medium:Terracotta, glass Dimensions:length 5 11/16in. (14.5cm) Classification:Terracottas Credit Line:Purchase, Sandra Brue Gift, 1998 Accession Number:1998.210.1, .2 The Homeric sea monster Scylla raises her right hand and holds a ship’s rudder in her left. Similar terracotta plaques, which are sometimes gilt, are known to have been used to decorate funerary klinai (couches) placed in Hellenistic tombs. Funerary klinai decorated with reliefs of ivory, gold, and glass have also been discovered in the fourth century B.C. tombs of the Macedonian kings at Vergina. Text from: www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/256901

Antefix, head of Medusa Period:Classical Date:4th century BC Culture:Greek, South Italian Medium:Terracotta Dimensions:Other: 6 5/8 × 6 7/8 × 2 1/2 in. (16.8 × 17.5 × 6.4 cm) Classification:Terracottas Credit Line:Rogers Fund, 1910 Accession Number:10.210.51 Text from: www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/248338

Antefix, head of Medusa Period:Classical Date:4th century BC Culture:Greek, South Italian Medium:Terracotta Dimensions:Other: 6 5/8 × 6 7/8 × 2 1/2 in. (16.8 × 17.5 × 6.4 cm) Classification:Terracottas Credit Line:Rogers Fund, 1910 Accession Number:10.210.51 Text from: www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/248338

Mask Date:late 18th–early 19th century Culture:French Medium:Gilt bronze Dimensions:Overall (confirmed): 4 3/8 × 5 3/8 × 1 3/8 in. (11.1 × 13.7 × 3.5 cm) Classification:Metalwork-Gilt Bronze Credit Line:Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1906 Accession Number:07.225.510.255 The monumentality of this fragment belies its size, and the powerful Medusa head illustrates that the distinction between sculpture and the decorative arts cannot always be clearly drawn. This head, with its agonized expression, may have been part of a clock with the figures of Perseus and his bride, Andromeda. The Greek hero slew the gorgon Medusa and afterward saved Andromeda from a sea monster. Text from: www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/190001

Mask Date:late 18th–early 19th century Culture:French Medium:Gilt bronze Dimensions:Overall (confirmed): 4 3/8 × 5 3/8 × 1 3/8 in. (11.1 × 13.7 × 3.5 cm) Classification:Metalwork-Gilt Bronze Credit Line:Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1906 Accession Number:07.225.510.255 The monumentality of this fragment belies its size, and the powerful Medusa head illustrates that the distinction between sculpture and the decorative arts cannot always be clearly drawn. This head, with its agonized expression, may have been part of a clock with the figures of Perseus and his bride, Andromeda. The Greek hero slew the gorgon Medusa and afterward saved Andromeda from a sea monster. Text from: www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/190001

Wall painting fragment with Gorgon mask Period: Early Imperial, Julio-Claudian Date: ca. A.D. 14–68 Culture: Roman Medium: Fresco Dimensions: L. 8 in (20.3 cm) Classification: Miscellaneous-Paintings Credit Line: Gift of Henry G. Marquand, 1892 Accession Number: 92.11.8 This fragment with its rich and ornate design, comprising a Gorgon mask, a gold-colored vase, and a bird with outspread wings, is similar to other frescoes found in houses and villas in and around Pompeii. It also reveals some of the technical features of Roman wall painting, for the details were added a secco (on dry plaster) on top of the white fresco background. Text from: www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/245838

Wall painting fragment with Gorgon mask Period:Early Imperial, Julio-Claudian Date:ca. A.D. 14–68 Culture:Roman Medium:Fresco Dimensions:L. 8 in (20.3 cm) Classification:Miscellaneous-Paintings Credit Line:Gift of Henry G. Marquand, 1892 Accession Number:92.11.8 This fragment with its rich and ornate design, comprising a Gorgon mask, a gold-colored vase, and a bird with outspread wings, is similar to other frescoes found in houses and villas in and around Pompeii. It also reveals some of the technical features of Roman wall painting, for the details were added a secco (on dry plaster) on top of the white fresco background. Text from: www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/245838

Terracotta lekythos (oil flask) in the form of a sphinx Period: Late Classical Date: ca. 380–360 B.C. Culture: Greek, Attic Medium: Terracotta Dimensions: H. 5 5/8 in. (14.3 cm.) Classification: Vases Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1906 Accession Number: 06.1021.180 Many traces of paint remain on this sphinx: pale blue on the wings and the eyes, red on the lips, and gold on the fillet. Text from: www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/247343

Terracotta lekythos (oil flask) in the form of a sphinx Period: Late Classical Date: ca. 380–360 B.C. Culture: Greek, Attic Medium: Terracotta Dimensions: H. 5 5/8 in. (14.3 cm.) Classification: Vases Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1906 Accession Number: 06.1021.180 Many traces of paint remain on this sphinx: pale blue on the wings and the eyes, red on the lips, and gold on the fillet. Text from: www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/247343

Limestone funerary stele (shaft) surmounted by two sphinxes Period: Classical Date: last quarter of the 5th century B.C. Culture: Cypriot Medium: Limestone Dimensions: Overall: 34 3/4 x 26 15/16in. (88.2 x 68.5cm) Classification: Stone Sculpture Credit Line: The Cesnola Collection, Purchased by subscription, 1874–76 Accession Number: 74.51.2499 Elegant sphinxes are positioned back-to-back with their heads turned so that they could be seen in three-quarters perspective. The calm beauty of the creature's head, the form of the palmettes, and the egg and dart molding that decorates the base of the platform are typical of Greek art of the fifth century B.C. Text from: www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/242050

Limestone funerary stele (shaft) surmounted by two sphinxes Period: Classical Date: last quarter of the 5th century B.C. Culture: Cypriot Medium: Limestone Dimensions: Overall: 34 3/4 x 26 15/16in. (88.2 x 68.5cm) Classification: Stone Sculpture Credit Line: The Cesnola Collection, Purchased by subscription, 1874–76 Accession Number: 74.51.2499 Elegant sphinxes are positioned back-to-back with their heads turned so that they could be seen in three-quarters perspective. The calm beauty of the creature's head, the form of the palmettes, and the egg and dart molding that decorates the base of the platform are typical of Greek art of the fifth century B.C. Text from: www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/242050

Terracotta stemless kylix (drinking cup) Attributed to the Asteas Workshop Period: Classical Date: late 4th century B.C. Culture: Greek, South Italian, Paestan Medium: Terracotta; applied color Dimensions: Overall: 1 15/16 x 7 11/16in. (5 x 19.5cm) diameter of bowl 5 1/8in. (13cm) Classification: Vases Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1989 Accession Number: 1989.11.12 Siren dancing atop a tendril. The practice of using applied color to achieve the effect of red-figure gained some popularity in Paestan vase-painting. This example is in particularly fine condition. Text from: www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/255915

Terracotta stemless kylix (drinking cup) Attributed to the Asteas Workshop Period: Classical Date: late 4th century B.C. Culture: Greek, South Italian, Paestan Medium: Terracotta; applied color Dimensions: Overall: 1 15/16 x 7 11/16in. (5 x 19.5cm) diameter of bowl 5 1/8in. (13cm) Classification: Vases Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1989 Accession Number: 1989.11.12 Siren dancing atop a tendril. The practice of using applied color to achieve the effect of red-figure gained some popularity in Paestan vase-painting. This example is in particularly fine condition. Text from: www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/255915

Terracotta Little Master cup Period: Archaic Date: ca. 565–550 B.C. Culture: Greek, Attic, black-figure, Medium: Terracotta; black-figure Dimensions: H. 6 5/8 in. (16.8 cm) diameter 9 7/8 in. (25.1 cm) Classification: Vases Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1903 Accession Number: 03.24.31 03.24.31: exterior, obverse and reverse, sphinx standing over a nude man The larger cup demonstrates the basic decorative format of this popular shape. Here, the inscriptions are meaningless strings of letters framing the figural composition, but on other examples, they accurately record the artist's name, label characters depicted, or offer greetings. Little Master cups can be dated more precisely than most Etruscan vases and so are important indicators of the date of this tomb. Text from: www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/247100

Terracotta Little Master cup Period: Archaic Date: ca. 565–550 B.C. Culture: Greek, Attic, black-figure, Medium: Terracotta; black-figure Dimensions: H. 6 5/8 in. (16.8 cm) diameter 9 7/8 in. (25.1 cm) Classification: Vases Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1903 Accession Number: 03.24.31 03.24.31: exterior, obverse and reverse, sphinx standing over a nude man The larger cup demonstrates the basic decorative format of this popular shape. Here, the inscriptions are meaningless strings of letters framing the figural composition, but on other examples, they accurately record the artist's name, label characters depicted, or offer greetings. Little Master cups can be dated more precisely than most Etruscan vases and so are important indicators of the date of this tomb. Text from: www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/247100