Bacchanal with a Dancing Couple on the Right
1642
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
About the artist
1642
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Bacchanal with a Dancing Couple on the Right is a 1642 ink by Willem Basse, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This etching shows a wild forest scene with a group of people dancing and playing. Trees fill the background, their branches twisting together. Some figures are dressed, while others seem half-naked, moving in a lively, chaotic way. In the center, two people dance close together, while others gather around them. The artist used fine lines to create texture, especially in the trees and clothing. The dark, tangled branches contrast with the lighter, open space where the dancers move. Next, explore the technique: etching to see how artists like this carved into metal plates to make prints.
