The Cult of Bacchus

1596

Jan Pietersz Saenredam, after Hendrik Goltzius

Associated Names
Jan Pietersz Saenredam

Artist, Dutch, 1565 - 1607

Hendrick Goltzius

Artist After, Dutch, 1558 - 1617

This is a drawing of a group featuring a central allegorical figure. The scene depicts a classical theme with a central nude figure adorned with drapery and an elaborate headpiece of grapevines and leaves, suggestive of a mythical or god-like entity possibly related to wine or harvest, holding grapes. Around are other figures, likely peasants or followers, appearing to admire or supplicate the central figure. The setting suggests a pastoral landscape with rolling hills and distant structures. The figures are portrayed in intricate detail, highlighting exaggerated expressions and dynamic poses typical of the Baroque style. The composition suggests a narrative moment, with attention to the interplay between the figures and the background landscape.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    engraving on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Ruth Cole Kainen

  • Dimensions

    plate: 44.3 x 32.3 cm (17 7/16 x 12 11/16 in.)
    sheet: 45.6 x 33 cm (17 15/16 x 13 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2012.92.608

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Hollstein, no. 71, State i/ii

  • Series Title

    The Cult of Ceres, Venus and Bacchus (Plate 3)

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(Valeria Bella Stampe, Milan); Ruth Kainen, Washington, D.C., purchased May 17, 2007; Gift to NGA, 2012.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

2013

  • Northern Mannerist Prints from the Kainen Collection, NGA, 2013 - 2014.

Bibliography

1949

  • Hollstein, F.W.H. et al. Dutch and Flemish etchings, engravings and woodcuts, ca. 1450-1700. Vols. I-XV, XVIII, XIX. Amsterdam: Menno Hertzberger: no. 71, i/ii

1993

  • The New Hollstein Dutch & Flemish Etchings, Engravings and Woodcuts, 1450-1700. (Hendrick Goltzius, Marjolein Leesburg, author). Rotterdam: Sound & Vision Interactive, 1996, no. 611, i/ii.

Inscriptions

in image, at bottom left: HG. Inuent. / Saenredam sculp; in image, at bottom centre: 3; below image: Bacche pater, prono prostrati corpore cuncti, / Suppliciter petimus, nobis tua dona secundes: / Dona, quibus maeror tristis, luctusque recedit, / Nostraque sollicitis relevantur pectora curis. C. Schonaeus

Wikidata ID

Q76557317

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