Bacchus seated on a barrel in front of grapevines, with bacchantes, satyrs, and children surrounding him
Original title: Bacchus seated on a barrel in front of grapevines, with bacchantes, satyrs, and children surrounding him
kurzbeschreibung
Pietro Peiroleri made this etching and engraving in 1758, showing Bacchus seated on a barrel. Around the wine god gather bacchantes, satyrs and children, forming a lively, uninhibited company with Bacchus at its center.
Description
Bacchus sits enthroned on a barrel, crowned with laurel and holding a goblet. A bacchante stands beside him, also with a cup in hand. One child stands to the side while another sits on the barrel; both look out toward the viewer. A satyr crouches on the ground, offering grapes. Vines and trees frame the gathering.
Context
The print dates from 1758, a time when mythological subjects were common in printed graphics. Peiroleri, an Italian, worked in the Baroque manner and often drew inspiration from antiquity. This etching may have served as a reproduction after a painting or as an independent collector's piece.
Impact
Delicate lines and graded shading give the image liveliness and movement. Its black-and-white execution brings the figures and their interaction to the fore. The result is a festive, almost exuberant mood.
Technique
The work combines etching and engraving, allowing for precise lines and nuanced shading. The paper has been trimmed and measures 36.6 × 25.7 cm, suggesting a hand-sized sheet intended for collectors.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)