The painting by Pietro Perugino, a Renaissance painter, a representative of the Umbrian school, is dedicated to the Greek myth of the musical contest between the satyr Marsyas and Apollo, the god of arts. The satyr learned to skillfully play the flute thrown by the goddess Athena, and, proud of his perfect performance, challenged Apollo.

Apollo, the highest musician, could not forgive the daring antics of a satyr who dared to argue with him. Playing the lyre, he won the musical duel, and as a punishment for insolence, he tore off Marsyas’ skin.

The cruel ending of this story was not included in the plot of the picture. Perugino wrote the competition of two musicians, or rather the playing of the flute Marsyas. He is all immersed in music and does not notice his Olympic opponent. Beautiful Apollo looks coldly at the seated figure of a satyr; his lyre, standing at his feet, awaits the moment when the radiant god will extract from it captivating sounds that the music of mortals cannot compete with.