Silenus and Bacchantes

Image credit: The Bowes Museum

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The scene represented shows Silenus, the teacher and faithful companion of the god of wine Dionysus. A great wine consumer, he was usually drunk and thus had to be escorted by satyrs or carried by a donkey. When intoxicated, Silenus was supposed to possess special knowledge and be able to tell prophecy. The Bacchantes are the female worshippers of Dionysus (thus named because of the Roman name of Dionysus, Bacchus). They were supposed to be wild, insane women who could not be reasoned with. This is a copy of a famous painting in the Louvre of c. 1530-31 by Correggio, the title of which is 'Allegory of Vice' or 'Vice enslaved'. The original was commissioned by Isabella d'Este for the Palazzo Ducale in Mantua.
Title

Silenus and Bacchantes

Date

1800–1850

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 128.8 x W 97.5 cm

Accession number

B.M.567

Acquisition method

bequeathed by the Founders, 1885

Work type

Painting

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Normally on display at

The Bowes Museum

Barnard Castle, County Durham DL12 8NP England

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