Young and Old Bacchant, from "Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae"
Original title: Young and Old Bacchant, from "Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae"
kurzbeschreibung
Marcantonio Raimondi made this engraving between about 1514 and 1536. It shows two naked bacchants. The sheet, measuring 17.2 by 13 cm, comes from the collection 'Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae'.
Description
Two naked men stand at the center before a bare tree. The older bacchant wears a leaf crown, a cloak over one shoulder, a long beard and gray hair. The younger figure, also with a leaf crown and short curly hair, holds him by the arm. On a pedestal behind them, two heads are visible; to the right, a barrel with grapes. The layout feels symmetrical, with clear contrasts of light and shadow in monochrome grays.
Context
Raimondi, an Italian Renaissance engraver, is best known for his reproductive prints after Raphael. This sheet was made in Rome, where he was active from about 1510. The 'Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae' gathered prints documenting the antiquities of Rome. Bacchants were popular motifs and go back to ancient depictions of the wine god Dionysus.
Impact
Clear lines and careful modeling of the bodies define the image. The calm, symmetrical arrangement conveys monumental dignity. The contrast between old age and youth evokes a pensive mood.
Technique
In engraving, lines are cut into a metal plate and then printed. Raimondi used fine, parallel hatching to bring out light and shadow. The precise execution shows his confidence in rendering anatomy and textures.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)