Figure of Eros; Canosa, 3rd century BC.

Figure of Eros; Canosa, 3rd century BC.
Polychrome terracotta.
Attached thermoluminescence.
Measurements: 22 x 7 x 10 cm.
This delicate terracotta sculpture, from Canosa in Magna Grecia and dated from the 3rd century BC, represents the god Eros, symbol of love and desire in Greek mythology. The young god appears in a relaxed pose, with outstretched wings that bring lightness to the piece, and a serene face that evokes an idealized beauty. The work, decorated with pigments that in his time would have highlighted his clothing and attributes, reflects Hellenistic artistic refinement and the intimate connection between the human and the divine, emblematic characteristics of Magna Graecia's artistic expressions.
From 320 B.C. Athens no longer exported pottery, and only a few vessels were made and given as prizes to the athletes of the Panathenaeans. Pottery from the Italic Peninsula then took the place of Athenian pottery in the Mediterranean market. The Italian pieces came from different centers, among them the city of Canosa, in northern Italy, often characterized by a rich polychrome ornamentation.