Renderings of an Ivory Carving of Ariadne from the 6th Century and an Ivory Plaque from the 9th Century

Herman Wilhelm Soltau

Associated Names
Herman Wilhelm Soltau

Artist, German, 1812 - 1861

The image contains two intricately carved sculptural pieces. On the left, there is a standing woman figure draped in robes, holding a staff and a round object. Two cherubic figures hover above her, each holding parts of a garland. Her expression is serene, facing slightly to her left. The sculpture features detailed folds in the fabric of her garments. The material seems ivory or cream-colored. At the bottom, a small goat-headed figure is visible. To the right, a rectangular panel displays interwoven scrollwork with smaller human and animal figures engaged in activities. The color and style match the main sculpture. The overall composition suggests ancient or classical themes with detailed ornamentation.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.

Artwork overview


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Unidentified collector (Wm STHAMER, Lugt undescribed); (Bury Street Gallery [William Drummond], London); purchased by William B. O'Neal [1907-1994], Charlottesville, VA, November 1986; gift to NGA, 1991.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1986

  • Bernheimer Gallery, London, November-December 1986.

Bibliography

1993

  • National Gallery of Art. Drawings from the O'Neal Collection. Exh. cat. Washington, 1993, checklist p. 95.

Inscriptions

by later hand, lower right in brown ink: No 30; by later hand, lower right verso in graphite: 38

Wikidata ID

Q64574228

You may be interested in

Loading Results