Maenad with thyrsus and lamb. Bas-relief. 67x50cm

Description

Maenad with thyrsus and lamb. Decorative bas-relief made in molded alabaster (alabaster powder plus binders), with oil polychromy and aging patinas. Wooden frame gilded with gold leaf and stucco.

Measurements: Height: 67 cm. Width: 50 cm.

Reproductions of sculptures and reliefs, inspired by original pieces from museums, classical art of Greece and Rome. Handmade in Spain. Ideal for interior decoration (living rooms, lobbies, libraries, and offices). Not suitable for outdoors.

Maenad with thyrsus and lamb. Reproduction based on the Roman sculpture on display in the Museo del Prado, Madrid, copy of a Greek relief from the late 5th century BC.

In Greek mythology, the Maenads were the followers of Dionysus, known as Bacchus to the Romans, the god of wine and enthusiasm. The original Maenads were nymphs who were in charge of his upbringing and who later became possessed by him, inspiring them with mystical madness. This sets them apart from the Bacchantes or Bacchae, mortal women who emulate the Maenads and engage in the orgiastic worship of Dionysus. In many sources, Maenads and Bacchantes are synonymous, with Bacchante being the Latin term for Maenad.

These women are frequently depicted in ancient Greek and Roman art, in fresco paintings and vases, in reliefs and sculptures, or in mosaics. They are often portrayed dancing in frenzy, dressed in flowing tunics and ivy crowns, and holding the thyrsus (staff) and other objects associated with Dionysus and wine, such as pitchers or grapes. Maenads represent the celebration of the Dionysian cult, where spiritual liberation, ecstasy, and enthusiasm (en-theos, god within oneself) were experienced, the experience of union with the divine. Representations of Maenads in classical art provide a fascinating window into the artistic expression of the beliefs and mysticism of ancient Greece.

Interior decoration with reproductions of reliefs depicting characters from classical mythology is an elegant and timeless way to add a touch of sophistication to the rooms of our home.