Late Roman or Early Byzantine, late Imperial Period, ca. 4th to 6th century CE. An exemplary mosaic of a standing male figure facing right made from hundreds of cut stone tesserae in vibrant hues of powder blue, light green, marigold, peach, cream, beige, caramel, white, and black. The ancient figure strides to the right dressed in a tunic, a long scarf or sash, and socks. His strong body displays a muscular physique, exhibiting broad shoulders, elongated arms, a narrow torso, and short legs. Wearing a determined expression, his head faces slightly upwards, presenting full lips, a prominent nose, and huge, almond-shaped eyes, all framed by a shaggy coiffure and thick beard. His left arm is bent upwards and covered in a blue cloak as it reaches outside of the frame. The figure's powerful stance and heroic presentation suggests that he may depict the Roman demigod Hercules (Greek Herakles), a Biblical hero, or a warrior of some kind. Size (of mosaic): 21.75" W x 43" H (55.2 cm x 109.2 cm); Size (of frame): 24.4" W x 45.4" H (62 cm x 115.3 cm)

Mosaics (opus tesellatum) are some of our enduring images from the Roman world, appreciated not only for their aesthetic beauty, but also because they reveal what Romans chose to depict and see every day decorating their private and public spaces. In the Roman province of Syria, which encompassed most of the ancient Near East/Levant, mosaics seem to have developed as a common art form relatively late, with most finds coming from the 3rd century CE or later. Syria was one of Rome's wealthiest provinces, but it was also far removed from Rome itself and Roman culture was overlaid on enduring cultural traditions from Hellenistic Greece and the great civilizations that came before it. Antioch-on-the-Orontes (modern day Antakya, Turkey), was the capital of northern Roman Syria, and its excavations in the 1930s revealed more than three hundred mosaic pavements.

This piece has been searched against the Art Loss Register database and has been cleared. The Art Loss Register maintains the world's largest database of stolen art, collectibles, and antiques.

Provenance: ex-Phoenicia Holyland Antiquities, New York, New York, USA, acquired before 2010

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#156361

Fragment of a larger piece. Abrasions to peripheries. Nicks and chips to some tesserae with a few losses of tesserae. Otherwise, excellent.