Art Institute of Chicago

Statue of a Young Satyr Wearing a Theater Mask of Silenus

Roman, with restorations by Alessandro Algardi (Italian, 1598-1654)

Date

About 1st century, restored 1628

Medium

Marble

Department

Arts of Greece, Rome, and Byzantium

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

A young satyr - a mythical creature, part human and part goat - thrusts his hand through the mouth of a theater mask of Silenus (an old satyr) in a gesture that is both mischievous and menacing. This work was likely originally paired with another statue of a child satyr, perhaps shown recoiling in fear at his companion's actions. In 1628 sculptor Alessandro Algardi added the base, tree trunk, both ears, the left leg, and part of the right leg to this statue. Collectors of this period valued complete works of art and hired artists like Algardi to restore fragmentary ancient sculptures. Since they did not know precisely what the works looked like in antiquity, sculptors often restored works according to their patrons' tastes.

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