Sculptuur van Mithras met druiventros 1636 - 1647

Theodor Matham created this drawing of a Mithras sculpture with a grape vine, sometime in the 17th century. The piece is dominated by the figure of Mithras, who’s partially draped, muscular torso and the abundance of grapes. The flowing lines of Mithras's hair and the soft shading across his body create an idealized form. Note how Matham uses the composition to elevate Mithras. The subtle gradations of light and shadow and the placement of the figure contribute to the sculpture's aura. The artist uses a semiotic system of signs to convey the statue's symbolic weight. In its emphasis on form and symbolism, the artwork destabilizes any singular interpretation, instead inviting ongoing analysis.