A Bacchanalian Revel Before a Term, 1632–1633. Oil on canvas, 98 × 142.8 cm (39 × 56.2 in)

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

Notes

  1. 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.
  2. Or perhaps maenads, the revelrous followers of Bacchus.[1]
  3. Traditionally identified as a statue of Pan, but could also represent Priapus.[1] Sometimes called a Herm.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "A Bacchanalian Revel before a Term (NG62)". National Gallery.
  2. Smith 1837, viii, 116–117.
  3. 1 2 Smith 1837, viii, 117.
  4. Smith 1837, viii, 116.
  5. Wright 1985, 176.

Bibliography

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