Portrait of Gennadios
Glass, gold.Ca. 250—300 CE. Inv. No. 26.258.New York, Metropolitan Museum of ArtPhoto by Roger B. Ulrich
Portrait of Gennadios.
Glass, gold.
Ca. 250—300 CE.
Ca. 250—300 CE.
Inv. No. 26.258.
New York, Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Description:
A Roman-period portrait rendered in gold leaf on glass, perhaps made in Alexandria (Egypt) in the second half of the third century CE (ca. 250-300). The name of the young man is inscribed on the left side: “Gennadios.” The rest of the inscription (in Greek) says “most accomplished in the musical arts.” Gennadios may have won a musical contest. The disk was meant to be worn as a pendant.
Credits:
© 2010. Photo, text: Roger B. Ulrich.
