The Infant Bacchus Astride a Wine Barrel

c. 1775

Gaetano Gandolfi

Associated Names
Gaetano Gandolfi

Artist, Bolognese, 1734 - 1802

This is a drawing of a cherubic figure seated on a wine barrel. The figure is depicted as a nude cherub or putto, sitting on a large wine barrel. It has a band of ivy or grapevines draped over its body, holding a horn in one hand and a staff entwined with vines in the other. The barrel has a spigot at the base, from which liquid is flowing. The background has vertical lines, potentially suggesting a wooden texture or paneling. The imagery conveys a sense of celebration, reminiscent of Bacchanalian themes associated with wine and revelry. The scene is detailed and finely etched in a monochrome palette, typical of traditional engravings.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund

  • Dimensions

    plate: 6.6 x 4.1 cm (2 5/8 x 1 5/8 in.)
    sheet: 9.1 x 6.4 cm (3 9/16 x 2 1/2 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2002.8.3

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    De Vesme 1906, no. 13


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Karl Jacob Mayer, Darmstadt (Lugt 5100); (Hill-Stone Inc., New York); purchased 2001 by NGA.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1906

  • Vesme, Alexandre de (Baudi di Vesme, Alessandro). Le peintre-graveur italien; ouvrage faisant suite au peintre-graveur de Bartsch. Milan: Ulrico Hoepli, 1906.

Inscriptions

by later hand, lower center verso in graphite: 99139; by later hand, lower right verso in graphite: GANDOLFI

Markings

Karl Jacob Mayer (Lugt 5100)

Wikidata ID

Q76340686

You may be interested in

Loading Results