The statue is a Roman replica of the Relaxing Satyr by Praxiteles. Known as Periboetos (the Famous), it was one of his last works. The Satyr is depicted as a demon of nature, a joyful character already typifying the atmosphere of Hellenistic art, and the poetry of Theokritos. He is represented as a young man, his head turned slightly to the left, with a shock of curly hair, and winking eyes. The posture is loose, displaying a strongly dislocated axis and an S-shaped rhytm peculiar to Praxiteles, even further stressed by the transverse movement of the nebris (the deerskin) Based on the parallels with some better preserved Roman copies of the Relaxing Satyr it is possible to construct a more complete picture of the Riben statue. The weight of the upper body is borne by the left leg; the lower trunk is rested on the right, the legs are crossed. The right hand, holding a flute is folded forward, leaning on the trunk, and the left folded backward and leant on the thigh.

The statue was found in a small columned building next to the road station of Ad Putea. It is related to the cultural background of the Roman city of Oescus, and can be referred to the Early Antonin Period.

Bibliography:

М. Рехо. Археологически институт с музей при БАН. Избрани скулптурни паметници. Водач. София. 2001.