# The Misfortunes of Silenus

[View the canonical artwork record](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/piero-di-cosimo-rf2493ef8122f53/the-misfortunes-of-silenus-rd0cee7a5cc31b6>)

## Artwork

- Artist: [PIERO DI COSIMO](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/piero-di-cosimo-rf2493ef8122f53>)
- Date: 1451-1500
- Technique: Oil on panel

## Commentary

Silenus in Greek mythology is a rural god, one of the retinue of Bacchus, a gay, fat old drunkard who was yet wise and had the gift of prophecy. On the picture he is lolling drunkenly the back of an ass. Piero di Cosimo&#39;s two mythological paintings, the Discovery of Honey \(Art Museum, Worcester\) and The Misfortunes of Silenus \(Fogg Art Museum, Harvard University, Cambridge\), with their free, combinatory constructions, bright palette and almost outrageous sense of humour and wit, were ordered by Giovanni Vespucci.

## Related artworks

- [Adoration of the Child](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/piero-di-cosimo-rf2493ef8122f53/adoration-of-the-child-r913ce62004c8a6>)
- [Allegory](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/piero-di-cosimo-rf2493ef8122f53/allegory-r664c5bedf1424f>)
- [Battle of Lapiths and Centaurs](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/piero-di-cosimo-rf2493ef8122f53/battle-of-lapiths-and-centaurs-r44ec1bd6f85da4>)
- [Forest Fire \(detail\)](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/piero-di-cosimo-rf2493ef8122f53/forest-fire-detail-r734b52a78af2cc>)
- [Forest Fire](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/piero-di-cosimo-rf2493ef8122f53/forest-fire-r12a43b3d08f080>)
- [Giuliano da Sangallo](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/piero-di-cosimo-rf2493ef8122f53/giuliano-da-sangallo-r6b4124810d2407>)
- [Holy Family with the Young St John the Baptist](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/piero-di-cosimo-rf2493ef8122f53/holy-family-with-the-young-st-john-the-baptist-r0d873f22465e03>)
- [Hunting Scene](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/piero-di-cosimo-rf2493ef8122f53/hunting-scene-rfd8ed06b83ff81>)
- [Immaculate Conception with Saints](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/piero-di-cosimo-rf2493ef8122f53/immaculate-conception-with-saints-r4f18991445dc16>)
- [Incarnation of Jesus \(detail\)](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/piero-di-cosimo-rf2493ef8122f53/incarnation-of-jesus-detail-rd1fb80725fde69>)
- [Incarnation of Jesus](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/piero-di-cosimo-rf2493ef8122f53/incarnation-of-jesus-rde0aaa01d3e11c>)
- [Madonna and Sleeping Christ Child with the Infant St John the Baptist](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/piero-di-cosimo-rf2493ef8122f53/madonna-and-sleeping-christ-child-with-the-infant-st-john-the-baptist-r41aa55a738f455>)

## Attribution

[Web Gallery of Art](<https://beta.wga.hu/pages/about>)