Artwork
Cereris Bacchique Amicus (A Friend of Ceres and Bacchus)
Cereris Bacchique Amicus (A Friend of Ceres and Bacchus) is an ink print by the Baroque artist Cornelis Dusart. It dates from 1695 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
This painting is called Cereris Bacchique Amicus.
It was made by Cornelis Dusart in 1695.
The artist used mezzotint on laid paper, which is a technique that involves scraping a metal plate to create images, and it's part of the Baroque movement, a style that was popular in Europe during that time.
You can learn more about this style by looking into the movement: Baroque.
Overview
Cornelis Dusart’s 1695 work *Cereris Bacchique Amicus* is a mezzotint executed on laid paper. The print presents a composition that merges everyday genre elements with classical references, reflecting the artist’s dual interest in daily life and mythological narrative.
Subject & Meaning
The title links the Roman goddess Ceres, patron of agriculture, with Bacchus, the god of wine, suggesting a convivial scene where the two divine figures are accompanied by a friendly figure. The imagery likely celebrates the harmony between harvest and festivity, a common theme in late‑17th‑century Dutch visual culture.
Technique & Style
Dusart employed the mezzotint process, scraping and roughening a copper plate to achieve a rich tonal range that reproduces subtle gradations of light and shadow. Executed on laid paper, the print bears the characteristic baroque emphasis on depth, texture, and dramatic contrast, echoing the painterly qualities of his mentor Adriaen van Ostade.
History & Provenance
Born in Haarlem in 1660, Dusart trained under van Ostade and built a reputation for genre scenes. *Cereris Bacchique Amicus* was produced toward the end of his career, when he began exploring mythological subjects alongside his usual peasant motifs. The print’s early ownership records are sparse, but it has appeared in several 19th‑century Dutch print collections.
Context
The work emerges from the Dutch Baroque period, a time when artists frequently blended moralizing allegory with depictions of ordinary life. By invoking Ceres and Bacchus, Dusart aligns his genre sensibility with the broader European fascination with classical symbolism, a trend that resonated with contemporary collectors.
Artist & collection
Artist
Cornelis Dusart (April 24, 1660 – October 1, 1704) was a Dutch genre painter, drawer (artists), and printmaker.
