Bachanalia

Jacob Jordaens

1655-1660

Bachanalia by Jacob Jordaens, 1655-1660

Jacob Jordaens brings the wild party of ancient mythology to life in this chaotic sketch of a Bacchanal. You can almost hear the shouting as satyrs—those mischievous half-man, half-beast creatures—stumble around with wine jugs, while nymphs nurse babies amidst the revelry. Jordaens, a master of the Flemish Baroque, loved painting fleshy, energetic figures caught in mid-action, and this drawing captures that raw, drunken energy perfectly. It serves as a lively glimpse into the artist's workshop, showing how he planned out the dynamic composition before committing to a final oil painting.

Technique
red chalk and wash
Material
paper
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