Satyr's head. Rome, 1st-2nd century A.D.

Satyr's head. Rome, 1st-2nd century A.D.
Marble.
Provenance: Private collection, Mrs. Suzanne Gozlan (1921-2022), Doctor in History and Archaeology, professor at the Ecole Normale d'Instituteurs de Chartres and professor at the University of Paris 4 Sorbonne.
In good state of preservation, without restorations.
Measurements: 8,5 cm (height).

Roman head made in marble representing a satyr, which is deduced from the treatment of the hair, through curls of somewhat anarchic appearance (although, due to erosion, part of this disordered representation of the locks has been lost) and, above all, the large mouth, hinting at a sardonic smile, usual characteristics in the representation of this mythological character. The carver combines idealism and realism, a fact that was common in Roman statuary. The hair, the treatment of the eyes, and the strict symmetry bring us closer to that idealism that tried to represent harmony. However, the protruding lips and cheekbones show us an almost animalistic expressiveness.
Related to the Maenads, the satyrs form the "Dionysian cortege" that accompanies the god Dionysus. They are represented in various forms; the most common (and basically Roman) is that of a creature half man half ram, with pointed ears and horns on the head, abundant hair, a flat nose, a goat's tail and a permanent priapism. One tradition considered that the sons of Silenus, named Maron, Leneus and Astreo, would have been the fathers of the satyrs. All three were in the retinue of Dionysus when he traveled to India and, in fact, Astreo was the driver of his chariot. As we can see in this Roman sculpture, the satyrs are cheerful and mischievous creatures, although their lighthearted and festive character can become dangerous and even violent (which explains why our sculpture has a frown). As Dionysian creatures, they are wine lovers and enjoy carnal pleasures.