Who painted Bacchanal?

Bacchanal was painted by Pietro da Cortona in 1604.

Where can I see Bacchanal?

Bacchanal is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Bacchanal?

Bacchanal is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Bacchanal

Pietro da Cortona , 1604

Bacchanal is a drawing by the Baroque artist Pietro da Cortona. It dates from 1604 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 1954.688
Credit line: The Norweb Collection

About this work

Overview

This drawing depicts a vibrant bacchanalia set amidst an Italian landscape, featuring a diverse cast of mythological figures engaged in revelry.

Subject & Meaning

The scene showcases Bacchus, Silenus, maenads, satyrs, musicians, children, and a goat, collectively embodying the themes of wine, festivity, and abandon. Such depictions often served to mirror the leisurely pursuits of the elite in dining settings.

Technique & Style

The work's composition and use of chiaroscuro suggest it may have been intended as a preliminary design for a fresco or painting, likely destined for a wealthy patron's dining area.

History & Provenance

While specific details about the drawing's creation and ownership history are not provided, its style and purpose align with 17th-century artistic practices catering to the elite.

Context

Created for the elite, this piece would have adorned a dining space, providing a humorous, symbolic reflection of the patrons' own indulgences in food and wine.