Mercury Entrusting Infant Bacchus to Nymphs 1690 - 1715

This drawing, “Mercury Entrusting Infant Bacchus to Nymphs,” was made by an anonymous artist. Though unsigned, the scene depicted is rich with meaning. The composition focuses on the moment in which the Roman god Mercury hands over the infant Bacchus, god of wine and revelry, to be raised by nymphs. In the context of its time, an emphasis on classical mythology often signaled an interest in the values of ancient Greece and Rome. To fully understand this artwork, consider the intellectual climate in which it was made. Art historians rely on resources such as period texts, biographies, and cultural histories, which help to reveal how artworks engaged with the social structures of their time. Approaching art history in this way reminds us that meaning is always tied to context.