Artwork
Arion on a Sea Horse and Bacchante on a Panther (pair)
Arion on a Sea Horse and Bacchante on a Panther (pair) is an unspecified painting by the French Classical Baroque artist William Adolphe Bouguereau. It dates from 1855 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. This pair of paintings is part of a series of eight works by Bouguereau, created for a Parisian townhouse.
About this work
Overview
This pair of paintings is part of a series of eight works by Bouguereau, created for a Parisian townhouse. The two panels feature mythological figures set against a gold background.
Subject & Meaning
The paintings depict Arion, an ancient Greek poet, riding a sea horse with a lyre, and a bacchante, a female follower of Bacchus, riding a panther with a thyrsus, a pinecone-tipped spear.
Technique & Style
The figures are silhouetted against a gold background with a honeycomb pattern, evoking ancient Roman mosaics. The soft, waxy flesh tones and gold leaf were designed to be enhanced by gas lighting.
History & Provenance
The paintings were part of a decorative scheme for a Parisian home, inspired by ancient Roman wall paintings found at Pompeii.
Artist & collection
Artist
William-Adolphe Bouguereau (French pronunciation: ; 30 November 1825 – 19 August 1905) was a French academic painter.
Apollo in his Chariot
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Portrait of centaur family against landscape
Achilles and the Centaur Cheiron
Anahita. The Flight of Night
The Loves of the Centaurs
Galatean riemusaatto, kopio Rafaelin (Raffaello Sanzio) mukaan
The Triumph of Neptune and Amphitrite