Triumph of Bacchus 1514

Dosso Dossi painted this bacchanal scene sometime around 1530, using oil paint applied to a canvas support. The material properties of oil allow Dossi to create a rich surface, full of contrasts. Look at the way he depicts human flesh, using soft, modulated tones to convey the sensuality of bodies. In contrast, the fabrics are rendered with sharp, angular strokes, highlighting the sheen and drape. Consider, also, the textures throughout the natural world that Dossi describes. It is a world of pure plenty, represented by the side of meat aloft on a pole, a reminder of how closely the bacchanal was tied to the provision of food. Dossi’s process would have involved the careful mixing of pigments with oil, a time-consuming task that required skill and knowledge. He carefully layered these paints to create a sense of depth and atmosphere, making the canvas surface come alive with the textures of human, plant and animal life. In the end, paying attention to the material qualities of artworks like this, helps us appreciate not only their aesthetic beauty, but also their cultural significance, and the labor that went into their creation.