Roman. <em>Torso of Dionysus</em>, 2nd–3rd century C.E. Basalt, 29 × 14 1/2 × 8 1/4 in. (73.7 × 36.8 × 21 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Anonymous gift, 80.249. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 80.249_front.jpg)

Roman. Torso of Dionysus, 2nd–3rd century C.E. Basalt, 29 × 14 1/2 × 8 1/4 in. (73.7 × 36.8 × 21 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Anonymous gift, 80.249. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 80.249_front.jpg)

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It says this is the torso of Dionysus (Greek God) and it is in the Egyptian Art section. Why would it be here?

That's a great question! The simple answer is that Egypt was taken over by Alexander the Great and it did become a part of the Hellenistic World, even though the Greek leaders of Egypt at the time still called themselves pharaohs. Dionysus, specifically, has direct ties to Egypt as well. As you may have read in the label, the Greek writer Antoninus Liberalis recounts that Dionysus hid in Egypt disguised as a goat to escape Zeus’s wrath after an attempted rebellion.

How do you know this is Dionysus?

If you look closely at the figure's right shoulder, you can see hooves of a goat or sheep which indicates that it is a sheep or goat's skin that is draped across the torso. As you may have read in the label, during the Ptolemaic period Dionysus was conflated with the Egyptian god Osiris who's sacred animal was a ram.

What can you tell me about this?

This torso of the god Dionysus is made from basalt, a stone carved exclusively in Egypt. It was made during the period when the Roman Empire ruled over Egypt, around the 2nd or 3rd century CE. Dionysus is the god of wine, drunkenness, dancing, theater and all other "out of control" behavior, hugely popular with the Greeks and the later Romans under than name Bacchus.

Why is this Greek torso in the Egyptian gallery?

That's a great question! The primary reason is that the material it's made from comes from Egypt. It also speaks to the international melting pot of the Mediterranean during the Roman period. With the entire region under one rule goods and ideas flowed freely from one area to another.

Is this Roman?

This Torso of Dionysus is probably the most Roman object on view right now! Like many Roman statues, it is a copy of a Greek original. It can be identified as Dionysus by the goat hooves on the skin he wears.

Of particular interest is the incredible craftsmanship and the beautiful black stone that was quarried in Egypt.

Thank you.

Torso of Dionysus

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

On View: 19th Dynasty to Roman Period, Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Gallery, 3rd Floor

This gray-black basalt torso of a youth probably represents Dionysus, the Greek god of wine and pleasure. The attribute of the skin of a recently slain fawn worn as a shawl over the god’s shoulder is the indicator of the subject mater. Similarly, the ends of the meandering, shoulder-length locks of his hair, visible beside the neck, in their length and luxurious disarray also point to the youthful Dionysus. The smooth bodily contours, too, suggest the god’s identity—though one scholar has called this particular sculpture of Dionysus “plump,” with some excess weight gained through overindulgence in wine and sybaritic pursuits.

CULTURE Roman

MEDIUM Basalt

DATES 2nd–3rd century C.E.

PERIOD Hadrianic or Antonine copy of a Hellenistic statue

DIMENSIONS 29 × 14 1/2 × 8 1/4 in. (73.7 × 36.8 × 21 cm) 120.5 lb. (54.7kg) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 80.249

CREDIT LINE Anonymous gift

PROVENANCE Archaeological provenance not documented, reportedly from an old princely estate in Rome, Italy; by 1967, acquired by Henri Kamer of France; by 1967, purchased from Henri Kamer by an anonymous collector; 1968, loaned by an anonymous lender to the Brooklyn Museum; 1980, gift of an anonymous donor to the Brooklyn Museum.

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EXHIBITIONS

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view on the 19th Dynasty to Roman Period, Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Gallery, 3rd Floor

CAPTION Roman. Torso of Dionysus, 2nd–3rd century C.E. Basalt, 29 × 14 1/2 × 8 1/4 in. (73.7 × 36.8 × 21 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Anonymous gift, 80.249. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 80.249_front.jpg)

IMAGE front, 80.249_front.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2005

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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