Roman antiquities are authentic works of art. During the Hellenistic period, the luxury of the aristocracy in Rome was in the foreground. The craters adorned the gardens of the high hierarchies.
The Borghese vase is one of the most beautiful Roman antiquities in the Borghese collection Its creation is precisely framed between the third and second century BC. The Borghese vase was large enough for a chalice and passed under several owners during its lifetime. It is currently on display in the Louvre Museum in Paris.
The characteristics of the Borghese Vase
The ancient craters of the Hellenistic period inspire Roman artists greatly. The Borghese vase is a chalice crater some 1.72 m high and 1.35 m in diameter. This dimension houses the sculpture of the God Dionysus, his wife Ariane and his thiase. Dionysus is the Greek God of drunkenness and wine.
The wine is therefore very present on the figures. The giant cup once included two handles on either side of its ends, supported by the heads of Silènes. Unfortunately, they disappeared as he rested.
The Borghese caach, which is now in the Louvre Museum, depicts Dionysus half covered. He wears his ivy crown. Beside him is Ariane, his wife, carried away by the music of the lyre, with which she plays. Around them is a procession of satyrs, bacchantes and menades.
One can clearly see, through the refinement of marble, the intoxication of the moment. In fact, one of the satyrs is on the ground. On its upper part, a vine frieze in contour and crowns the entire sculpture.
The journey from the vase to Paris
The Borguese vase would take its sources around the 2nd century BC. J.C., but it was not discovered until 1566 in the garden of Salluste, in Rome. He remained there until the Borghese family acquired it in 1645.
Borghese is a high Roman hierarchy, remarkable for its considerable wealth. Indeed, it has also distinguished itself by its pronounced vocation for ancient art. As a result, she has an amazing collection in her villa, still in Rome. It is the most prestigious collection of Roman antiquities in existence. It consists of about 695 sculptures as well as other works of art.
In 1808, the French emperor Napoleon I decided to haggle over this collection. The sales representative is Prince Camille Borguese, who is the brother-in-law of Napoleon I. However, he entrusted the case to Dominique-Vivant Denon, his imperial museum director, as well as ennio Visconti.
The transaction for the 695 sculptures and others is for 13 million francs. The sale provoked difficulties and comments, but the Borghese vase remained in Paris until now. It has been on display in the Daru gallery since 1811 and has not left it until now.
Ancient craters
Roman art is very coveted. This is due to its unique tweaking. The story and the path he has travelled, accumulating the scars of time while remaining intact in its entirety, contributes to its value.
The Louvre Museum has the chance to exhibit, including the Borghese vase. The latter attracts particular attention from those interested in art. It is one of the most admirable ancient craters listed, by its size and by the representation of Dionysus that it refers to. The Borghese vase was reportedly found near another statue of Silene bearing Dionysus as a child.
Alongside the Borghese caille is the Medici Vase, the finest examples of existing antique vases. Moreover, the Borghese pot is the subject of several copies of great artists. They use different materials to re-express the beauty of the vasque.
The most famous of the replicas is that of Jean Cornu, in honor of the decoration of the Palace of Versailles. In the same place and made for the same occasion, that of the Medici vase. In 1775, Hubert Robert placed the Borghese vase at the centre of his caricature where the Colosseum sits in the background. Otherwise, there is also a copy of John Flaxman, in 1788.
The Medici vase is currently in the Uffizi Gallery. Even in our time, ancient vases are always ideal for garden ornamentation. That's why they're still very popular in the market.
