Artwork
Bacchus
Bacchus is a print by Henri Fantin-Latour. It dates from 1903 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
This painting shows a man in a red hat, sitting alone with a wine glass.
This painting shows a man in a red hat, sitting alone with a wine glass. His face is half in shadow. The background is dark and plain.
Fantin-Latour painted this in 1903, late in his life. It’s not a big myth scene like most Bacchus pictures. He focused on a quiet, human moment instead.
He often painted flowers or quiet scenes. See the difference from his usual work? Look up Henri Fantin-Latour (French, 1836–1904).
Overview
Bacchus is a print by French artist Henri Fantin-Latour, created in 1903. It is one of his later works, produced towards the end of his life.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a solitary figure, identified as Bacchus, seated with a wine glass. The subject is rendered in a subdued manner, with the figure's face partially in shadow, diverging from typical representations of the mythological figure.
Technique & Style
Fantin-Latour's Bacchus is characterized by a dark, plain background and a focus on a quiet, human moment. This approach differs from his more commonly known still lifes of flowers and group portraits of artists and writers.
History & Provenance
The print was created by Fantin-Latour in 1903. The artist, known for his work in various genres, was active primarily in the 19th century, having lived from 1836 to 1904.
Artist & collection
Artist
Ignace Henri Jean Theodore Fantin-Latour (French pronunciation: ; 14 January 1836 – 25 August 1904) was a French painter and lithographer best known for his flower paintings and group portraits of Parisian artists and writers.
