Silenus and the Mainads 

"Silenus and the Maenads" is a bronze plaquette by the Italian Renaissance artist Caradosso Foppa (1452-1527). The plaquette depicts a scene from classical mythology, where the drunken satyr Silenus is being pursued by the Maenads, female followers of the god Dionysus. The scene is rendered in high relief, with a dynamic and energetic composition. The plaquette is a fine example of Foppa's skill as a sculptor, and it is a testament to the continuing interest in classical mythology during the Renaissance. The piece is small, measuring just under 5 cm in height and width. This bronze plaquette is typical of the small-scale works favored by collectors of the Renaissance era, and may have adorned a casket or other piece of furniture.