Red-Figured Chous (Primary Title)
Unknown (Artist)
The mask depicted on this vase shows the mask of a “Slave,” a common character in ancient comedy. Enslavement occurred throughout the ancient world, usually through war or debt bondage. In comedies, slaves could be portrayed as lazy but also as sly figures able to outwit their owners.
Gift of an Anonymous Donor
“The Art of South Italy: Vases from Magna Graecia,” Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (Richmond, VA): 12 May-8 August 1982; Philbrook Art Center (Tulsa, OK): 20 November 1982-9 January 1983; The Detroit Institute of Arts (Detroit, MI): 7 February-10 April 1983.
May 1981 (Robert E. Hecht, Paris); Gift to Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA), Richmond; accessioned into VMFA collection May 13, 1981. [1]
[1] Information in VMFA Curatorial and Registration records.
[1] Information in VMFA Curatorial and Registration records.
Image released via Creative Commons CC-BY-NC
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