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aicbyzantine.bsky.social
AIC: Ancient and Byzantine Art (Bot)
@aicbyzantine.bsky.social
170 followers 3 following 2.3K posts
Sharing artworks from the Art Institute of Chicago's Ancient and Byzantine Art department.
Automated thanks to @andreitr.bsky.social and @botfrens.bsky.social
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Statuette of a Sphinx from a Barque Standard https://www.artic.edu/artworks/130025/
The sphinx god Tutu stood on the bows of the sacred boats that carried statues of the pharaoh and the gods. The power of the sphinx, represented by the head of the king and the body of a lion, is further emphasized by the two cobras that rear up at its paws. Gift of Henry H. Getty, Charles L. Hutchinson, and Robert H. Fleming
December 9, 2025 at 5:33 PM
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Pitcher https://www.artic.edu/artworks/54529/
Gift of Theodore W. and Frances S. Robinson
December 9, 2025 at 2:02 PM
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Head of a Child or Woman https://www.artic.edu/artworks/394/
Museum Purchase Fund
December 9, 2025 at 11:03 AM
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Plaque: Man with Hand to Head/Nefer, Ankh, Nb https://www.artic.edu/artworks/133876/
Gift of Charles L. Hutchinson
December 8, 2025 at 6:27 PM
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Sestertius (Coin) Portraying Empress Agrippina https://www.artic.edu/artworks/10098/
The front of this coin portrays the empress Agrippina, facing right. The coin was struck after her death. On the back, a type of chariot called a Carpentum is depicted. Gift of Mrs. William Nelson Pelouze
December 8, 2025 at 4:41 PM
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12 Nummi (Coin) of a Byzantine Emperor https://www.artic.edu/artworks/141525/
The front (obverse) of this coin depicts the bust of an emperor, facing right, diademed and draped. The back (reverse) shows an inscription. Mr. and Mrs. Martin A. Ryerson Collection
December 8, 2025 at 3:08 PM
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Coin Portraying Philip the Arab https://www.artic.edu/artworks/141778/
The front (obverse) of this coin portrays the head of Philip the Arab, facing to the right. The back (reverse) depicts Annona- the divine personification of the grain supply to the city of Rome- holding ears of corn and a cornucopia. Gift of William F. Dunham
December 8, 2025 at 11:57 AM
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Coin Depicting the God Apollo https://www.artic.edu/artworks/142929/
Gift of William F. Dunham
December 8, 2025 at 10:22 AM
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Coin Portraying Emperor Galerius Maximianus https://www.artic.edu/artworks/10223/
On the front (obverse) of this coin, the emperor Maximianus is portrayed facing right, wearing a crown of laurels and a type of military garment called a cuirass. On the back (reverse), the figure of a genius is shown standing, semi-nude, holding a patera and a cornucopia. Gift of Mrs. William Nelson Pelouze
December 7, 2025 at 5:58 PM
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Wide-Bottomed Flask https://www.artic.edu/artworks/67389/
The iridescent sheen on this flask, an artificially created effect sought after by 19th-century glassmaking innovators such as Louis Comfort Tiffany, was not actually intended by or known to their makers. Because of their association with luxury and precious oils and perfumes, these vessels were often buried with their owners in tombs, the chemical conditions of which, over time, have caused the surfaces to deteriorate, resulting in the shimmering, often opalescent, hues that appeal to the modern eye. Gift of Theodore W. and Frances S. Robinson
December 7, 2025 at 4:14 PM
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Coin Depicting Pegasus https://www.artic.edu/artworks/142738/
Gift of William F. Dunham
December 7, 2025 at 3:07 PM
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Tetradrachm (Coin) Portraying Emperor Nero https://www.artic.edu/artworks/142664/
The front of this coin portrays the emperor Nero, facing right and wearing a radiate crown.On the back Nero's second wife, the empress Poppaea, is portrayed facing right. Gift of William F. Dunham
December 7, 2025 at 12:51 PM
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Fragment of a Vessel https://www.artic.edu/artworks/67609/
In ancient Rome, there was a high demand for colorful glass that could dazzle banquet guests alongside the expensive silver and gold serving wares meant to impress. Fragments like this one would have once been a part of larger mosaic dishes. The mosaic pattern was made by sagging molten glass into bowl-shaped molds, a technique used on many of these fragments is similar to millefiori, “thousand flowers” in Italian, a modern glass-making method in which tiny rods of colored glass are bundled together, wrapped in a sheet of glass, fused, and then thinly sliced to reveal swirls of a flower-like patterns. They were arranged side by side, sometimes together with bits of colored glass, and fused together with heat. Gift of Theodore W. and Frances S. Robinson
December 7, 2025 at 8:31 AM
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Aureus (Coin) Portraying Emperor Antoninus Pius https://www.artic.edu/artworks/10006/
Starting in 96 with the reign of Emperor Nerva, Rome was ruled by five wise leaders who came to be known as the “Good Emperors.” Nerva (reigned 96–98) was an honest and respected senator who enacted compassionate social programs. His rule ushered in a period of peace and prosperity, which is suggested by the sheer abundance of coins produced during this era as well as by the skill and artistry of the images created. Coins of this period, especially gold aurei like this one, were often perfectly round, well struck, and centered. Antoninus Pius (reigned 138–61), continued the wise and caring example of Nerva which is reflected in his nickname, Pius, meaning “pious.” Able to maintain peace through the strength of the Army, Rome was strong and prosperous under Antoninus’s firm rule. Gift of Mrs. William Nelson Pelouze
December 6, 2025 at 4:08 PM
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Bottle https://www.artic.edu/artworks/61990/
Gift of Theodore W. and Frances S. Robinson
December 6, 2025 at 3:02 PM
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Head of a Girl https://www.artic.edu/artworks/94805/
Museum Purchase Fund
December 6, 2025 at 11:28 AM
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Drachm (Coin) Portraying King Gotarzes II https://www.artic.edu/artworks/10311/
The front (obverse) of this coin portrays the head of King Gotarzes II, wearing a diadem. The back (reverse) depicts the legendary founder of the Parthian empire King Arsaces to the right. Gift of Mrs. William Nelson Pelouze
December 6, 2025 at 9:50 AM
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Coin Portraying Emperor Constantius I https://www.artic.edu/artworks/145233/
The front (obverse) of this coin portrays the emperor Constantius.On the back (reverse) a Genius stands, facing left. Gift of Mr. Roger Trienens
December 5, 2025 at 7:30 PM
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Statuette of Herakles https://www.artic.edu/artworks/72216/
Gift of Dr. Theodore N. Zekman
December 5, 2025 at 5:19 PM
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Bottle https://www.artic.edu/artworks/65678/
The iridescent sheen on this bottle, an artificially created effect sought after by 19th-century glassmaking innovators such as Louis Comfort Tiffany, was not actually intended by or known to their makers. Because of their association with luxury and precious oils and perfumes, these vessels were often buried with their owners in tombs, the chemical conditions of which, over time, have caused the surfaces to deteriorate, resulting in the shimmering, often opalescent, hues that appeal to the modern eye. Gift of Theodore W. and Frances S. Robinson
December 5, 2025 at 1:46 PM
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String of Beads https://www.artic.edu/artworks/135058/
Perhaps used for personal adornment or decoration within the home, these beads are individually patterned with black stripes. It is possible that the abstract shapes had a symbolic or protective meaning in addition to providing a pleasing design. Gift of Henry H. Getty and Charles L. Hutchinson
December 5, 2025 at 12:38 PM
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Biconical Bead https://www.artic.edu/artworks/196451/
These precious bronzes objects are votives, or devotional gifts, made for gods. They come in many forms. Some are miniature sculptures of animals, mostly depicting horses, deer, and birds. Others are items of personal adornment, including beads and brooches. Quite a few seem once to have been attached to something else. This assemblage is characteristic of the thousands of votives that were hung from sacred trees or placed in sanctuaries around Greece. Once a shrine was full, the votives were gathered together and ceremonially buried to make room for more offerings. This comes from Thessaly in north-eastern Greece. Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Alexander
December 5, 2025 at 8:31 AM
aicbyzantine.bsky.social
Alabastron (Container for Scented Oil) https://www.artic.edu/artworks/43347/
The flaring rims of these alabastra functioned as applicators to spread the thick, scented oil over the skin. The vessels themselves fit comfortably in the user's hand. Gift of Theodore W. and Frances S. Robinson
December 4, 2025 at 4:19 PM
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Fragment of a Cup https://www.artic.edu/artworks/67655/
In ancient Rome, there was a high demand for colorful glass that could dazzle banquet guests alongside the expensive silver and gold serving wares meant to impress. Fragments like this one would have once been a part of larger mosaic dishes. The mosaic pattern was made by sagging molten glass into bowl-shaped molds, a technique used on many of these fragments is similar to millefiori, “thousand flowers” in Italian, a modern glass-making method in which tiny rods of colored glass are bundled together, wrapped in a sheet of glass, fused, and then thinly sliced to reveal swirls of a flower-like patterns. They were arranged side by side, sometimes together with bits of colored glass, and fused together with heat. Gift of Theodore W. and Frances S. Robinson
December 4, 2025 at 1:05 PM
aicbyzantine.bsky.social
Tetradrachm (Coin) Portraying Emperor Nero https://www.artic.edu/artworks/142273/
The front (obverse) of this coin portrays the bust of Emperor Nero, facing right, radiate, wearing a cuirass (armoured breast plate), and aegis (shield). The date this coin was struck is indicated in the inscription " LIΓ ", which means the thirteenth year of his reign, or 66-67 CE. Nero reigned as emperor from 54-68 CE.The back (reverse) portrays the head of Tiberius, facing right. Gift of Robert L. Grover
December 4, 2025 at 10:26 AM