Antoine Coypel Bottega, Mythological, 1700, Oil on Canvas, Framed

Details

Description

Antoine coypel (paris 1661 - 1722) workshop
idyll between dionysus and ariadne

oil on canvas

78 x 101 cm
framed … Read more Antoine coypel (paris 1661 - 1722) workshop
idyll between dionysus and ariadne

oil on canvas

78 x 101 cm
framed 97 x 120 cm

full details of the work (click here)

this delightful composition illustrates the myth of the love between ariadne and the god dionysus, a highly prized and recurring classical theme in baroque and rococo art because of its association with hedonism and love. The episode was, in fact, depicted as a pretext to celebrate the joy of life's pleasures (wine, love, sensuality) in contrast to the fleeting nature of time, often associated with the renaissance concept of "carpe diem."

the work derives, albeit varying in some aspects, from one of the most famous compositions by antoine coypel (paris 1661–1722), commissioned in 1693 by the duke of orléans, brother of king louis xiv, to decorate the study of the château de saint-cloud. It is now housed at the philadelphia museum of art (oil on canvas, 73 x 85.5 cm; inv. No. 1990-54-1).

the composition immediately became very popular, and numerous copies, studies, and period prints exist. Another smaller oil-on-copper version is held at the hermitage museum in st. Petersburg.

the artist himself made an engraving of it in 1693, contributing to its widespread popularity. Various prints and copies are held in museums and private collections, including a print held at the certosa e museo nazionale di san martino in naples.

delving into the details of the composition, it depicts the love story between the god dionysus, known to the romans as bacchus, and the beautiful ariadne, daughter of king minos of crete, as described in classical sources, particularly by the latin poet ovid (metamorphoses, book viii).

ariadne was deceived and abandoned on the island of naxos by the young athenian hero theseus, with whom she was in love and whom she had helped defeat the terrible minotaur. Upon learning of her lover's betrayal, the princess began to despair relentlessly until her sad lament reached the ears of the god bacchus, who, upon seeing her, was captivated by her beauty and fell madly in love with her and decided to take her as his wife.

behind her, with a lit torch, is fame, who enshrines her everlasting memory in the constellation that would take her name.

the canvas, inspired by classical sources, is set in an idyllic landscape on the island's coast, at the moment when bacchus arrives, followed by his retinue of nymphs and satyrs, with one hand over his heart and the other grasping ariadne's arm to propose.
this piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



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