Curtain Panel with Scenes of Merrymaking, 500s. This large panel conveys merrymaking, wealth, and power through its symbolic imagery and deep purple colour. It was originally part of a luxurious wide curtain with similar panels alternating with plain linen. Although woven in Christian Egypt, pagan subjects dominate. A nude male stands beside a dancing female in transparent clothing in each of the three squares, alternating with centaurs (half-man, half-horse) in roundels. In the central square, Dionysus holds a grapevine and a weary Herakles leans on his club below. The lively animal imagery c
Curtain Panel with Scenes of Merrymaking, 500s. This large panel conveys merrymaking, wealth, and power through its symbolic imagery and deep purple colour. It was originally part of a luxurious wide curtain with similar panels alternating with plain linen. Although woven in Christian Egypt, pagan subjects dominate. A nude male stands beside a dancing female in transparent clothing in each of the three squares, alternating with centaurs (half-man, half-horse) in roundels. In the central square, Dionysus holds a grapevine and a weary Herakles leans on his club below. The lively animal imagery conveys wealth because few could afford such animals: lions, bulls, hares, a bear, boar, donkey, dog, and a stag.
Size: 2566px × 6096px
Photo credit: © Heritage Art/Heritage Images / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: 6th, art, byzantine, century, cleveland, dyed, egypt, heritage, linen, museum, period, supplementary, tapestry, textile, undyed, unknown, weave, weft, wool, wrapping
