Bacchus accompanied by a Bacchante and a faun (1768, Met-Objekt 1272)
Original title: Bacchus accompanied by a Bacchante and a faun
kurzbeschreibung
Carlo Faucci produced this print in 1768, presenting Bacchus together with a bacchante and a faun. It was executed as an etching and engraving, and the mythological figures are arranged in a balanced composition.
Description
Bearded and crowned with a wreath of leaves and grapes, Bacchus stands at the centre; his right hand grasps a bunch of grapes. To his left appears a bacchante with long curls, also holding a grape and making a sweeping gesture. On the right, a shaggy faun holds a grape and looks up laughing at Bacchus. At the group's feet a dog is shown with its mouth open. The plain, dark background makes the figures stand out; the rendering remains in black and white.
Context
The Italian Carlo Faucci worked as an engraver in the 18th century and specialised in reproductive prints. His sheet from 1768 falls into a period when antique subjects and mythological themes were in strong demand in art. It is conceivable that it served collectors as a model or was used as an illustration in an art volume.
Impact
Through careful linework and precise capture of surfaces such as fur and foliage, the scene gains liveliness. The dark background pushes the figures forward and heightens the dramatic tension of the image.
Technique
Etching and engraving are combined here; this process allows both the finest details and soft transitions. Facial features and material structures – such as fur or leaves – can be reproduced very precisely.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)