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Bacchanal with Silenus

A work made of engraving on laid paper.
CC0 Public Domain Designation

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  • A work made of engraving on laid paper.

Date:

1475/80

Artist:

Workshop of Andrea Mantegna
Italian, 1431-1506

About this artwork

Andrea Mantegna’s adoption of ancient Roman motifs contributed to their prominence during the Italian Renaissance, especially when translated into widely circulating and frequently copied engravings. Mantegna’s oblong bacchanalian subjects particularly extol the wonders of the god of wine as well as the excesses of his entourage. Indeed, in this print of a procession-like grouping of figures, Dionysos’s portly, inebriated sidekick Silenos receives mock preferential treatment as he is lifted by satyrs and crowned with grapevines. The drunken satyrs, nymphs, and humans sing, make music, and grapple with unwieldy flesh as they cross a pool of wine and press on through the vineyard.

Status

Currently Off View

Department

Prints and Drawings

Artist

Andrea Mantegna

Title

Bacchanal with Silenus

Place

Italy (Artist's nationality:)

Date  Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

1475–1480

Medium

Engraving on laid paper

Dimensions

Sheet: 31.2 × 44.3 cm (12 5/16 × 17 1/2 in.)

Credit Line

Bequest of Mrs. Potter Palmer, Jr.

Reference Number

1956.1010

IIIF Manifest  The International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF) represents a set of open standards that enables rich access to digital media from libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural institutions around the world.

Learn more.

https://api.artic.edu/api/v1/artworks/4278/manifest.json

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

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