Bacchus c. 20th century

Editor: This is Jules Pascin’s "Bacchus", a small etching. The figures seem caught in a moment of revelry, but there’s also a sense of vulnerability in their postures. What layers do you see at play here? Curator: Pascin, writing "Bacchus" into the print itself, invites us to consider the complicated history of representing the god of wine. It's more than just celebration; it's about power, transgression, and who gets to participate, isn't it? Editor: It seems so... intimate and public at the same time. Curator: Exactly. Pascin highlights the tension between individual experience and collective identity. The figures' nudity, their gestures, all contribute to this discourse. Is this liberation or exploitation, or perhaps both? Editor: I hadn't thought of it that way. It makes me question my initial assumptions. Curator: That's the power of engaging with art, isn't it? It challenges us to look deeper, to consider multiple perspectives. I'm also intrigued by Pascin's choice to etch this image, as it is traditionally seen as a medium for the more classical arts. Editor: So, the piece almost questions itself. Thank you. Curator: My pleasure. Now you can carry a new lens for looking at art!