Roman Mosaic Depicting a Theatrical Mask

This powerful and colorful mask is set against a black background. The face looks down to the lower right, its mouth is open wide, the eyes in black are full of expression highlighted by black and white lines underneath. Most impressive is the garland of vines and leaves in the hair which extends beyond the head on either side and below in two thick bands. The foliage seems to grow as part of the man, giving him an appearance of a woodland satyr or the leader of satyrs Silenus. Masks similar to this one were carved in relief on Roman theaters, and in mosaic form as seen on the walls of Pompeii.