A Bacchante, William Etty (1835)
In this vibrant masterpiece, William Etty invites us into the world of Bacchus, the Roman god of wine and revelry. “A Bacchante” reflects Etty’s fascination with classical mythology and his ability to infuse his works with sensuality. The scene captures a moment of uninhibited celebration as the Bacchante, a devotee of Bacchus, indulges in the joyous abandon of dance. Etty’s bold use of colour and dynamic composition transports the viewer into the heart of the revelry, creating a timeless ode to the pleasures of life and the intoxicating spirit of artistic expression.
William Etty. A Bacchante, 1830 AD- 1835 AD. York Museum Trust. By Licence: Public Domain.
This would be a typical museum label as the description is all from the male perspective, the male gaze is at the forefront of the narrative. However, there are unanswered questions for the viewer …..
CHAT
You & Me
You may wonder……
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Who was the model for this portrait?
Hello
🙂 How do you not know who I am?
Is my name not on the painting?
Not your name as the title is ‘A Bacchante’, do you know what that is?
I do indeed
It is a follower of the mythical Roman God Bacchus, I didn’t know William had painted me as this.
How do you feel about not having your name on the portrait?
I am not very happy about it.
To be honest, I am a nameless portrait portrayed as someone I wasn’t aware of. I feel deceived.
Don’t I Deserve a Name?
Does she deserve a NAME?
Leave your voice!
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