Who painted Bacchus and Ariadne?

Bacchus and Ariadne was painted by Ferdinand Bol in 1664-01-01.

Where can I see Bacchus and Ariadne?

Bacchus and Ariadne is held by Hermitage Museum.

What movement is Bacchus and Ariadne?

Bacchus and Ariadne is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Can I buy a print of Bacchus and Ariadne?

Museum-quality prints of Bacchus and Ariadne are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Bacchus and Ariadne

Ferdinand Bol , 1664

Bacchus and Ariadne is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Ferdinand Bol. It dates from 1664 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.

About this work

Technique & Style

Painted in 1664, it belongs to the genre of mythological painting and was produced in the Netherlands before entering the Hermitage Museum collection.

Ferdinand Bol's Bacchus and Ariadne is an oil painting executed on canvas. The work measures 160.5 by 182.5 centimeters, a substantial horizontal format suited to a mythological narrative composition. Painted in 1664, it belongs to the genre of mythological painting and was produced in the Netherlands before entering the Hermitage Museum collection.

The medium and dimensions indicate a sizeable easel painting rather than a small-scale study, consistent with Bol's mature practice as a follower of Rembrandt working in the classical-mythological tradition.

The canvas support and oil medium would have permitted Bol to build up layered glazes and rich tonal transitions characteristic of the Rembrandt school's handling, though specific condition notes are not documented in the available sources.

History & Provenance

Bacchus and Ariadne is an oil-on-canvas mythological painting executed in 1664 in the Dutch Republic by Ferdinand Bol. The work measures 160.5 cm in height and 182.5 cm in width and belongs to Bol's oeuvre of mythological subjects. It entered the collection of the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, where it remains.

The painting's earlier provenance is not recorded in the available sources, which likewise document no specific accession number or major loan exhibitions for the work.

Overview

Ferdinand Bol, a Dutch artist from the 17th century, completed Bacchus and Ariadne in 1664 using oil paint. This work exemplifies Bol's engagement with historical and mythological themes, a common practice during the Dutch Golden Age. His artistic approach was shaped by the influence of Rembrandt, his former teacher. The painting is currently housed in the collection of the State Hermitage Museum.

Subject & Meaning

The painting portrays the mythological figures Bacchus and Ariadne. Ariadne, with bare shoulders, sits on a rock, draped in white and green fabric. Bacchus, clad in a red tunic and gold trousers, leans towards her, his arm around her.

His expression appears serious, while her necklace glints. In the background, ships are visible on a hazy body of water, framed by tangled vines and leaves, suggesting a dreamlike setting.