So happy with my purchase from Affordable Canvas. I was able to find just what I was looking for with no problems. The selection is great and the website is so easy to navigate. I received the artwork in great time and the quality of the product exceeded my expectations.
About the Artwork
The centaur mosaic was found in the 18th century on the site of the sprawling, luxurious villa complex near Tivoli that once belonged to the Roman emperor Hadrian. The mosaic was found in situ along with other smaller ones that bore depictions of landscapes, animals and masks. The relatively small central panel (emblema) formed part of the floor decoration for the dining room (triclinium) in the main palace. The various individual scenes of these mosaic pictures bear depictions of wild, inhospitable landscapes that deliberately contrast with idyllic ones featuring animals living in harmony with each other. The dangers of the wild are portrayed in this mosaic in the dramatic struggle between great cats and a pair of centaurs, mythological creatures with the head, arms, and torso of a man and the body and legs of a horse. On a rocky outcrop that hangs over a terrific chasm that runs parallel to the bottom of the picture, a pair of centaurs have been pounced on by great cats. While the male centaur has been able to defend itself successfully from the lion, the tiger has managed to bring the female centaur to the ground and is clawing her side. The male centaur rushes to his companion’s side, rearing his legs in the air while holding a rock aloft above his head. Undaunted, the tiger seems intent on not surrendering its prey. Even though one lion already lies fatally wounded, bleeding and with its claws retracted, the outcome of the struggle is anything but clear because in the background (whose spatial depth is achieved through the staggered arrangement of rock forms and impressive gradations of colour) we see yet another foe for the centaur: a leopard ready to pounce. While depictions in older Greek art tended to emphasise the bestial side of centaurs, later depictions increasingly focussed on their human qualities. Lucian, a writer from the 2nd century, records that the Greek painter Zeuxis (active around 400 BCE) became famous for his painting of a family of centaurs, including the young, set in a rural idyll. Similarly, Ovid, who lived around the turn of the millennium, wrote in moving verse of the death of a centaur couple. The extensive restoration work that was undertaken in the 18th and 19th century makes it difficult to date the mosaic with certainty. As a result, its dating ranges from Hellenistic to Hadrianic. There is broad agreement among scholars that the mosaic amounts to one of most virtuoso works of Roman mosaic art, which was inspired by a Greek work of art (either a panel painting or mosaic) from the Hellenistic period.
Product Features
Unleash your inner curator and buy high quality wall art for your home or office with a canvas print that will never warp or sag. Our canvas prints, available in landscape, portraits, and even large prints, come in a variety of stunning options, from breathtaking black and white canvas and photographic wall art to inspirational art and vintage fine art. Create a captivating gallery wall with maps and portraits, or buy affordable artwork directly from independent artists.
Our solid faced canvas prints are 1.25” thick and feature a sealed, finished back and pre-installed hanging hardware. It’s designed to hang tough and is super easy to display. Explore our framed canvas print options for an eye-catching accent
With Affordable Canvas you can always expect great quality, big canvases, and amazing art!
Product Specifications
- Built Solid and Ready to Hang
- Artist-Grade Canvas Fade-Resistant Archival Inks
- Patented, Warp-Resistant Construction Hard-Sealed Back (No Dust or Staples)
- Printed and assembled in the USA
Precise Color And Detail
Our exquisite giclée canvas wall art reproductions are meticulously crafted using the finest environmentally-friendly latex inks and artist-grade polycotton canvas. Our pieces are printed with impeccable color accuracy and image clarity, ensuring that your treasured canvas print remains a timeless masterpiece for years to come.
Clean Corners And Museum Wrapped
Elevate your space with our prestigious Museum Wrapped Canvas Prints. Showcasing an impressive 1.5” thickness, these art pieces are masterfully wrapped, featuring a carefully sealed enclosed back that diligently prevents dust from encroaching, all the while upholding the pristine allure of your walls. Discover the perfect blend of elegance and protection, exclusively designed for your environment.
Durable And Easy To Install
Transform your space effortlessly with our captivating wall artwork, easily mounted in minutes using our pre-installed sawtooth hanging system and engineered for a lightweight, user-friendly experience. While they exude an air of weightlessness, our robust frames ensure unwavering resilience, promising a timeless presence that endures.
Testimonials
I recently purchased a new home. I wanted to make it a reflection of my personal style and personality. Affordable Canvas had a great selection of art that fit my needs perfectly! Shipping was fast and the quality was Exceptional!
I have recommended Affordable Canvas to all my friends and family. They have a great selection of art, shipping is fast and the quality is excellent! I am so happy with this experience!