Anacreon with the Infants Bacchus and Cupid

About this artwork

In the early 19th century, industrial approaches to production created a new middle-class market for small-scale bronze statuettes, which were displayed in domestic interiors. This statuette is a reduced version of a larger-than-life composition depicting the ancient Greek poet Anacreon cradling Bacchus and Cupid. As the god of wine and pleasure, the infant Bacchus is wreathed in vine leaves and holds a bunch of grapes. Cupid, god of love, bears feathered wings and presses his cheek to the poet’...

Art Historical Context

Jean-Léon Gérôme's *Anacreon with the Bacchus and Cupid is a captivating bronze statuette, modeled in 1878 and cast around 1893. Standing at .4 × 43.8 cm, this intimate sculpture resides in the Art Institute of Chicago's Department of Painting and Sculpture of Europe Gérôme, a leading French academic artist of the 19th century, masterfully blends realism with classical mythology, showcasing his skill in both painting and sculpture. The work draws from ancient Greek lore, portraying Anacreon, the poet celebrated for his verses on wine, love, and revelry, tenderly cradling the infant gods Bacchus (Dionysus) and Cupid. These figures symbolize the joys Anacreon immortalized, evoking a sense of playful harmony amid divine mischief. Gérôme's precise modeling captures the softness of youthful flesh and dynamic poses, hallmarks of his hyper-realistic style influenced by neoclassicism and archaeological accuracy. Bronze's durability and potential for rich patina enhance the sculpture's timeless appeal, making it a gem for visitors. It reflects the 19th-century fascination with antiquity, bridging Renaissance revival and modern collecting, and invites us to ponder the enduring allure of poetry and pleasure.

About the Artist

Jean Léon Gérôme · 1824–1904

Gérôme's father, a goldsmith from Vesoul, discouraged his son from studying to become a painter but agreed, reluctantly, to allow him a trial period in the studio of Paul Delaroche in Paris. He traveled and studied in Italy, elsewhere in Europe, and in Asia Minor. The subjects that he enjoyed most were scenes of nature and animals. He is best known for mythological and Comment on works: history pa...