Bacchanales: Nymph Astride a Satyr
1763
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1763
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
This playful 1763 etching shows a nymph riding a satyr like a horse. The nymph holds a vine while the satyr grins, his fur and muscles drawn with quick, bouncy lines. Their bodies twist in a lively dance. Fragonard made these four prints after studying ancient art in Italy. He skipped the wine god Bacchus and focused on the rowdy fun of his followers instead. Look up Jean-Honoré Fragonard (French, 1732–1806) to see more of his loose, joyful style.
