La Fête Des Bois, Les Bacchantes 

Curator: Frederick Arthur Bridgman is thought to be the artist behind this scene entitled *La Fête Des Bois, Les Bacchantes*, or “The Feast of the Forest, the Bacchantes." Editor: Immediately, I'm struck by this image’s celebratory mood. There's an exuberance, a wild energy almost contained, but ready to burst forth from the canvas. Curator: I completely agree. The composition certainly plays into that feeling—this sense of Dionysian revelry, a complete abandonment to pleasure and impulse that is typical of Bridgman's explorations into Academic art, wouldn't you say? The entire process of romanticizing Classical antiquity with genre and history painting elements... Editor: Yes, you can clearly read those mythic and romantic leanings through the central theme—devotees of the god of wine in ecstatic motion, complete with exotic garments and crowned animals, roaming around with joyous intent in nature. Curator: I imagine him, with all these nymphs draped across lions and other figures brandishing musical instruments. I just love how the oil paint kind of shimmers in the imagined sunlight filtering through the leaves...almost a humid touch to the bacchanal! Editor: The lions definitely contribute to the exoticization of the scene and bring up a discourse related to orientalism—as those beasts often come loaded with such symbolism throughout painting. But, at the same time, what exactly *is* everyone doing? Is there a darker side implied? It seems one woman is shielding her ears while in full sprint, almost trying to flee. What is your take on that? Curator: Now that is interesting! She definitely could be running away…from sheer fun? The unknown artist has done well if she inspires such conflicting theories! Editor: Agreed. A push-pull between hedonistic joy and unsettling discord makes the scene both engaging and quite indicative of ongoing issues tied to pleasure, agency, and access—issues that our present benefits from still revisiting in the name of cultural critique. Curator: Agreed—thanks, what a fabulous discovery! Editor: Anytime!