Detail from "Bacchanal",
one of three paintings by Tiziano Vicellio (Titian) commissioned in 1523 for the
Duke of Ferrara, Alfonso de Este. (Shown is Ariadne and the effect of wine
imbibed during the festivity of her wedding with Bacchus).
The paintings were started by Giovanni Bellini (1427-1516). The first two
works "Worship of Venus" and
"Bacchanal" (above) are at the Prado Museum, Madrid, Spain. The third related work "The Feast of the gods"
is at the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C., USA.
Titian was inspired by the poem "The chant of Wine" by Catlulus.
Two of the works "Bacchanal" and "The Feast of the gods"
relate the wedding of Ariadne and Bacchus; The third work depicts the
"Worship of Venus".
Note: These works inspired Reubens. Historians say that the Bacchant upon
whose head wine is being poured is Violante, the lover of Titian. These sensual
works were preserved by conservative Spanish kings, an index of civilized
behavior.
