On-line gallery
- Reference number
- P02312
- Author
- Poussin, Nicholas (French)
- Title
- Bacchanal
- Chronology
- 1625-1626
- Technique
- Support
- Measures
- 122 cm x 169 cm
- School
- Theme
- Shown
- Yes
- Entrance
- COLECCION REAL
- Procedence
- Royal Collection
This is a traditional scene from
the iconography of Bacchus, the
Roman god of wine. It depicts his
meeting with Ariadne on the island
of Naxos. The god rides a chariot
pulled by lions, and helps his
future wife, who was abandoned by
Theseus, to climb aboard. The are
accompanied by Bacchus's habitual
retinue of bacchants, satyrs and
menads, led by Silenus on a donkey.
The scene is framed by vegetation,
with the sea in the
background.
Titian's influence stands out here,
as in other works by Poussin, and
his interest in details and in
rendering the finest qualities of
secondary elements such as Nature
and different objects.
This painting was listed in the
collection of King Felipe V at the
Palace of la Granja de San
Ildefonso, and was moved from there
to the Prado Museum in 1829.
Location on the map
