Dish (coppa): The satyr Silenus on an Ass 1527 - 1538

This 16th-century Italian maiolica dish depicts the drunken satyr Silenus riding a donkey, a popular motif in Renaissance art that draws upon classical mythology. The scene is set in a picturesque landscape, with a cityscape in the background and a river winding through the foreground. The lively colors and detailed figures are characteristic of maiolica, a type of tin-glazed earthenware that was widely produced in Italy during this period. This dish is an excellent example of the craftsmanship and artistic skill of anonymous Italian maiolica makers.