Triumph of Bacchus

Oil on canvas

42 x 57 cm.

Framed 74 x 86 cm.

Provenance: Munich, HAMPEL, 25 September 2020, lot 990 (See link)

We are sharing a work of great charm and collector's relevance, a painting of the famous masterpiece 'Triumph of Bacchus' - also known by the title of 'The Drinkers' - painted around 1629 by Diego Velázquez, a leading artist at the Spanish court and one of the most important painters of the Spanish Golden Age.

Velasquez's prototype, made for the summer residence of King Philip IV, is today held in the collections of the Prado Museum in Madrid, inv. no. P001170 (link)

As far as the attribution of our beautiful version is concerned, we are inclined to attribute it to a follower of Velázquez, presumably active between the 18th and 19th centuries. The numerous variants circulating on the market, including the one we are pleased to propose to you, and those in public [1] and private collections are a clear reflection of the uninterrupted success of his painting and of this subject in particular.

[1] Among these, for example, we can mention the one kept in London, at the Victoria and Albert Museum, with measurements similar to the one under examination (link).

Although the work deals with a theme, the mythological, particularly appreciated by Velázquez, it shows a very rare subject in Spanish painting which, unlike Flemish and Dutch painting, did not include scenes of drunkenness, considered in Spain the most despicable vice.

Accused of treating the deeds of the classical gods with scant respect and even mockery, in reality Velázquez, guided by his magnificent realism, in his Triumph of Bacchus simply brought the God of wine into the earthly world, showing him in the midst of a group of men 'of the people'.

The Bacchus imagined by Velázquez sits on a wine barrel, used as a throne, half-naked with a drape concealing his nudity and a crown of vine leaves on his head. Accompanying him in this joyous bacchanal at his side sit two satyrs, while on the right he is accompanied by a group of laughing drunken peasants to whom he offers wine, while one of them is crowned by the god himself.

Normally, Bacchus' retinue is composed only of Bacchae and satyrs, whereas here we see him immortalised among humble peasants, marked by life and excess, dressed in simple clothes and with their faces tanned and furrowed by deep wrinkles.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The work is sold complete with a beautiful gilded wood and stucco frame and is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and descriptive iconographic card.

We take care of and organise the transport of the purchased works, both for Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers.

It is also possible to see the painting in the gallery in Riva del Garda, we will be happy to welcome you to show you our collection of works.

Contact us, without obligation, for any additional information.

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