Marble sarcophagus with flying erotes holding a clipeus portrait
The young beardless soldier commemorated in the portrait wears a military cloak, pinned at his right shoulder. The portrait borne aloft implied the ascent of the deceased to the heavens, while Tellus and Oceanus, the Earth and Ocean, reclined below, symbolizing the regenerative cycles of life. The central scene is framed at either end by the embracing figures of winged Eros and of Psyche, personification of the human soul.
Artwork Details
- Title: Marble sarcophagus with flying erotes holding a clipeus portrait
- Period: Severan
- Date: ca. 190–200 CE
- Culture: Roman
- Medium: Marble, Proconnesian
- Dimensions: Overall: 17 3/4 x 70 1/2 x 21 in. (45.1 x 179.1 x 53.3 cm)
- Classification: Stone Sculpture
- Credit Line: Gift of Joseph V. Noble, 1956
- Object Number: 56.145
- Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art
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