Art in Ephesus was not merely an aesthetic pleasure, but also a powerful tool for expression and societal critique. One of the most intriguing examples is the story of the painter Klesides. According to ancient historians, Klesides was invited by Queen Stratonice, one of the powerful female figures of the time, to make her portrait, but was treated with disdain and disrespect. The artist did not remain silent about this situation; instead, he chose to take revenge with his brush.

Klesides created two paintings that humiliated the queen. In one of these, he depicted Stratonice in an intimate manner with an ordinary fisherman, and in the other, he portrayed the queen in a scandalous mise-en-scène. The artist hung these paintings on the palace wall for all to see, and the public flocked to the palace out of curiosity. The paintings soon became legendary in Ephesus, with large crowds gathering to witness these satirical works.

The queen was forced to hide her anger and even sarcastically claimed to admire the paintings, thus accepting the situation. This story proves that art in Ephesus was not only an element of beauty; it also served as a medium for social humor, criticism, and even a challenge to authority. Klesides’ courage and the public’s interest in this event demonstrate how powerful a form of expression art was in Ephesus society.