A Bacchanalian Revel Before a Term
A Bacchanalian Revel Before a Term[lower-alpha 1] is an oil painting by Nicolas Poussin, dated to 1632–1633, which is now in the National Gallery in London.[1]
Description
The principal group consists of two nymphs[lower-alpha 2] and two fauns (emblem of the four seasons), dancing joyously in a ring. While thus performing their rounds, one of the former is squeezing the juice of grapes from her hand on two bacchanalian boys, who are struggling together to catch it; a third, overcome with its potent effects, lies asleep near them. In the opposite side is a term[lower-alpha 3] adorned with flowers, in front of which is a satyr endeavouring to embrace a nymph who in her struggles has fallen. One of her companions has seized the sylvan by the horn, and is about to inflict a blow on him with an empty golden vase, but is prevented by the prostrate female, and also by one of the dancers. A thick grove bounds the view on this side and on the other is a rocky landscape represented under the aspect of a fine evening.[2]
Engraved by Huart, De Paray, and S. S. Smith.[3]
Smith (1837) comments, "This chef d'œuvre of art is a highly classic and poetical exposition of the mystic rites of the sylvan deity".[4] On the other hand, Wright (1985) considers this picture "One of Poussin's few attempts at the genuinely humorous."[5]
Provenance
- Collection of M. Randon de Boisset, 1777.
- Count de Vaudreuil, 1786.
- M. de Calonne, London, 1795.
- Richard Walker, Esq., 1803.
- Lord Kinnaird, 1813; purchased prior to the sale, by Thomas Hamlet, Esq., who, in 1826, sold it, together with the Bacchus and Ariadne, by Titian; and Christ appearing with his Cross to St. Peter, by Caracci, to the Directors of the National Gallery.[3]
Notes
- Also catalogued as A Bacchanalian Dance and Revel in Honour of Pan (Smith, 1837), Bacchanal before a Herm (Blunt, 1966), Bacchanal before a Term of Pan (Wright, 1985), and otherwise.
- Or perhaps maenads, the revelrous followers of Bacchus.[1]
- Traditionally identified as a statue of Pan, but could also represent Priapus.[1] Sometimes called a Herm.
References
- "A Bacchanalian Revel before a Term (NG62)". National Gallery.
- Smith 1837, viii, 116–117.
- Smith 1837, viii, 117.
- Smith 1837, viii, 116.
- Wright 1985, 176.
Bibliography
- Blunt, Anthony (1966). The Paintings of Nicolas Poussin. Critical Catalogue. London: Phaidon. pp. 101–102 (no. 141).
- Smith, John (1837). A Catalogue Raisonné of the Works of the Most Eminent Dutch, Flemish and French Painters: Nicholas Poussin, Claude Lorraine, and Jean Baptist Greuze. Vol. 8. London: Smith and Son. pp. 116–117 (no. 221). This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- Wright, Christopher (1985). Poussin. Paintings. A Catalogue Raisonné. England: Harlequin Books. p. 176 (no. 79).
- Wright, Christopher (2007). Poussin. Paintings. A Catalogue Raisonné. London: Chaucer Press. pp. 117–118 (no. 79).
External links
- "Bacchanal before a herm, circa 1800 (166.1979)". Art Gallery NSW.
- Media related to A Bacchanalian Revel before a Term at Wikimedia Commons