ECL-Bm.4:39-2012
Parts
ECL-Bm.4:39-2012
Identification
Sarcophagus lid: Sirens and philosphers
assigned by cataloguer
Fa 3 no. 44 (formerly Fa 2 no. 44)
Bm 4. 33-58 are from Villa Altieri verso Porta Maggiore
Bm 4. 33-58 are from Villa Altieri verso Porta Maggiore
Fa 3 no. 44
Description
On right two Sirens stand on a rocky ledge, playing double pipes and lyre. They have outspread wings, shaggy thighs and scaly legs ending in claws. They seem to play to two philosophers seated on rocks on left with mask and sundial on columns between them. Far left are traces of seated figure holding open book. A slightly curved object projects towards the Sirens from behind the rock nearest to them: this can be explained as a misunderstanding of a prow of a boat, which had been lost when this drawing was made but was recorded in one of the Dal Pozzo-Albani drawings. The lid was broken even then, but the drawing shows four philosohers, three Sirens and Odysseus in his boat. The break is not recorded in the Topham drawing.
drawing
height (actual size): 372mm
width (actual size): 486mm
width (actual size): 486mm
Villa Altieri No. 44
Villa Altieri No. 44 written in pencil on front of drawing as well as in ink on reverse
red chalk on paper
Production
Ciferri, Bernardino (Artist)
c.1710-1730
History and association
• ASR (II ; no. 141 (lost))
• TAPS (Vermeule NS 50 part 5 1960 no. 13)
• TAPS (Vermeule NS 50 part 5 1960 no. 13)