Bacchanal

About this artwork

This dynamic etching depicts a bacchanal, the classical revelry associated with Bacchus, the Roman god of wine, fertility, and ritual madness. Created by Michel Dorigny between 1636 and 1665 and published by the prominent Parisian print publisher Pierre Mariette, the work exemplifies the seventeenth-century French fascination with classical mythology and its visual interpretation. Dorigny, born in Saint-Quentin in 1616 or 1617, was a significant figure in French Baroque printmaking, and his coll...

Art Historical Context

Step into the exuberant world of *Bacchanal*, a lively etching by French Baroque artist Michel Dorigny (1616/17–1665), published by the esteemed Parisian printmaker Pierre Mariette (1596–1657). Created between 1636 and 1665, this trimmed sheet measures 10 1/16 × 7 11/16 inches and captures the chaotic revelry of Bacchus, the Roman god of wine, fertility, and ecstatic madness. Dancing figures swirl in a frenzy of celebration, abundance, and ritual joy, embodying the classical myths that captivated 17th-century Europe. Dorigny's masterful etching technique shines through in its fluid, expressive lines, which convey dynamic movement and energy—hallmarks of French Baroque printmaking. Born in Saint-Quentin, Dorigny was a key figure in translating mythological themes into accessible prints, while Mariette's influential Paris workshop ensured their spread across Europe to collectors, artists, and scholars. These works weren't just art; they served as inspiration for painters, models for study, and carriers of ancient culture. Today, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department as part of the prestigious Elisha Whittelsey Collection (acquired 1949), *Bacchanal* highlights printmaking's role in the artistic exchange of the Baroque era. Though not currently on view, this public domain gem invites us to revel in history's wild side.

About the Artist

Michel Dorigny|Pierre Mariette · 1616–1665

French painter. Comment on works: Painter; History; Portrait; Engraver; Religious; Mythology; Draughtsman