Bacchanal with Figures Carrying a Vase
1650s
Medium
etching with engraving on laid paper
Dimensions
plate: 26.2 x 20.2 cm (10 5/16 x 7 15/16 in.) sheet: 38.5 x 26.8 cm (15 3/16 x 10 9/16 in.)
Classification
Portfolio
Department
CG-E
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund
Accession Number
2005.127.9
Rights
Public Domain
Art Historical Context
In the lively etching *Bacchanal with Figures Carrying a Vase*, French artist Michel Dorigny captures the exuberant spirit of classical revelry during the 1650s, a peak of Baroque art. This print depicts figures joyously carrying a vase—likely brimming with wine—in a scene inspired by Dionysian myths, evoking the uninhibited pleasures of ancient bacchanals. Dorigny's work reflects the era's fascination with mythological themes, blending French elegance with Italian influences from his time in Rome. Created through the meticulous techniques of etching and engraving on laid paper, the plate measures 26.2 x 20.2 cm, with a larger sheet of 38.5 x 26.8 cm allowing for generous margins typical of fine prints. These methods enabled Dorigny to achieve intricate lines and tonal depth, making complex compositions accessible beyond paintings. As a portfolio piece in the National Gallery of Art's collection (acquired via the Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund), it highlights printmaking's role in disseminating Baroque grandeur to collectors and connoisseurs. This intimate work invites visitors to revel in 17th-century artistry, where every swirling figure and shadowed contour pulses with life.
About the Artist
Michel Dorigny · 1616–1665
French painter. Comment on works: Painter; History; Portrait; Engraver; Religious; Mythology; Draughtsman