The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of February 2, 2023

Silenus and King Midas

mid 16th century

Giulio Bonasone

(Italian, c. 1510–after 1576)

after Perino del Vaga

(Italian, 1500/01–1547)

Italy, 16th century

Engraving

Support: Cream(1) laid paper

Sheet: 16.9 x 22.9 cm (6 5/8 x 9 in.); Platemark: 15.9 x 21.9 cm (6 1/4 x 8 5/8 in.)

Mr. and Mrs. Charles G. Prasse Collection 1968.256

Catalogue raisonné: Bartsch XV.136.89 ; Massari 97

Location

not on view

Description

In Greek mythology Silenus was an old, drunken satyr (half-man, half-goat), who visited King Midas and was graciously received. In gratitude for Midas's generous hospitality, Dionysus, the god of wine and former pupil of Silenus, granted the king one wish. Midas asked for the power to turn everything that he touched into gold. However, he soon regretted his choice, for he was unable to eat food or drink water, as they also turned to gold. Finally, Dionysus released him from the enchantment.

Inscriptions

Inscription

lower center, in plate: I. BONASON·F· ; lower left, verso, in graphite: TR146201/1[crossed out] ; TR 14975/1 ; lower right, verso, in graphite: B89 THO BH ; lower right, verso, in graphite: 2050 12/15 [?]

Exhibition history

Cleveland, Ohio: The Cleveland Museum of Art; 8/3/97 - 10/26/97. "Mannerism: Italian, French, and Netherlandish Prints, 1520-1620."

Year in Review: 1968. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (January 29-March 9, 1969).

Connoisseurship in Italian Figural Compositions. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (October 21, 1980-February 15, 1981).

Mannerism: Italian, French, and Netherlandish Prints, 1520-1620. The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer) (August 3-October 26, 1997).

Source URL: https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1968.256