The Marriage of Bacchus and Ariadne
1702
chalk
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1702
chalk
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This drawing shows a lively scene with many figures. In the center, a man and woman stand together, possibly getting married. The man is holding a cloth, and the woman has her arm around him. Around them are many other people, some sitting and some standing. The drawing is done in black chalk on laid paper. The scene is full of movement and energy, with many curved lines and flowing shapes. The figures are drawn in a loose, expressive style, with lots of detail in their faces and clothes. The background is simple, with just a few lines to suggest the setting. This drawing is a great example of Baroque art, which often featured dramatic and emotional scenes. To learn more about this style, check out the Baroque movement.