Getty Museum

Lucanian Red-Figure Chous (Shape 3)

Date

early 4th century B.C.

Medium

Terracotta

Culture

Greek (South Italian)

Department

Vessels

Institution

Getty Museum

At the left, Ariadne sits on a rocky outcrop covered with vine tendrils. A bearded, wreathed Dionysos, holding a kantharos in his right hand and a thyrsos in his left, stands at the right looking toward her. Behind him, a woman, likely a maenad, stands holding a flaming torch. The scene is framed above by stylized leaves; below by an alternating meander and hollow square pattern. The discovery of Ariadne by Dionysos was a popular subject in ancient art, but rarely portrayed in South Italian vase paintings. This vessel depicts the moment Ariadne realizes Theseus has abandoned her on the island of Naxos. She sits with her head bent and eyes downcast, distracted and still unaware of Dionysos’ presence and her imminent rescue.

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