Dionysus (allegory Of Taste), Caravaggesque Artist Active In Rome In The 17th Century

 
Caravaggesque northern artist active in Rome in the 17th century, active in Rome in the 17th century.
Workshop of Gerard van Honthorst (Utrecht, 1592 – Utrecht, 1656)

Dionysus/Bacchus (as an allegory of taste)

oil on canvas
65 x 52 cm.
In antique frame 82 x 68 cm.

Complete details of the work (click HERE)

An analysis of the composition and style of this interesting portrait, which depicts Dionysus (commonly known as Bacchus) while sipping a cup of wine, allows us to link its execution to the workshop of the Flemish painter Gerard van Honthorst (Utrecht, 1592 – Utrecht, 1656).

A highly talented Dutch painter, he was a prominent member - together with Dirck van Baburen and Hendrick ter Brugghen - of the ‘Caravaggisti of Utrecht’, a group of artists who moved from the Dutch city to Rome at the beginning of the 17th century where they were fascinated by Caravaggio's painting.

Profoundly influenced by the great master's innovation, on their return home they introduced the same realism in their choice of subjects and intense chiaroscuro into their own works.

The close-up, almost life-size composition gives the work realism and immediacy, further enlivened by dramatic lighting effects that emphasise the ruddy complexion of our drinker.

We find this type of subject in many of his compositions, thanks to which the artist acquired great fortune among collectors, in which the almost caricatural definition of the characters is accompanied by iconography of great character.

Dionysus, god of wine and intoxication, has large dark eyes looking at the spectator, his lips, nose and cheeks are slightly red, and he has shoulder-length curly hair: the relaxed attitude of the figure and his grinning expression clearly indicate that he is under the influence of drink.

The theme of the pleasure of food, and in particular of merry drinkers, already favoured by Italian art in the style of Caravaggio, was therefore very popular among Flemish artists, who imported these subjects to Northern Europe.

We can identify many of them in the painter's catalogue, but among those most similar to the painting we are offering is ‘Young Bacchus Squeezing Grapes into a Bowl’ by the National Trust (National Trust, Hatchlands, England) or the ‘Young Man with a Flask of Wine and Cheese’ (Christie's 5 Dec 2020) and ‘Cheerful Violinist’ (Hermitage St. Petersburg).


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The painting is sold complete with a beautiful gilded wooden frame and is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and an iconographic description.

We organise and take care of the shipment of the purchased works, both in Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers.

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