Fragment of Sarcophagus Relief with Three Putti in Two Boats
Front
Picture of Fragment of Sarcophagus relief. 2019-11-25
Name/Title
Fragment of Sarcophagus Relief with Three Putti in Two BoatsEntry/Object ID
18R15231Description
Plaque of a Greco-Roman relief of cherubs in boats.Type of Sculpture
ReliefArtwork Details
Medium
MarbleContext
This white marble fragment, broken on both ends, is clearly a portion of a Roman sarcophagus, perhaps all that remains of this particular one.The main scene, which depicts three winged children (putti) in two different boats, the right one broken off, is sculpted in high relief while architectural elements and palm trees, sculpted in low relief, make up the background. The scene is a light-hearted one. On the left-hand side, two putti play instruments seated in an oared boat with high prows. One looks over his shoulder while tapping a tambourine he holds in the air, while the other, seated on a raised platform in the bow, blows on a small pipe. On the right-hand side of the fragment another putto in a boat whose prow features a carving of a goose's head, is leaning over his oars as though rowing. The drill work in the hair of all the putti helps date this relief to the third or fourth century CE, as does the representational rather than naturalistic rendering of their bodies. Putti were a common motif on the sarcophagi of children beginning in the second century, and are usually shown playing instruments, driving chariots in Circus games, or engaged in Bacchic rituals. It is possible that in this context the putti represent death or sleep. This fragment is currently in the collection of the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto.Made/Created
Date made
200 CE - 300 CETime Period
Roman ImperialPlace
Province
OntarioCountry
CanadaContinent
North AmericaEthnography
Culture/Tribe
Roman