Bacchanaal 1652 - 1707

This etching, Bacchanaal, was made in the Netherlands around 1640 by Franz Ertinger. The print depicts a scene of revelry associated with Bacchus, the Roman god of wine, freedom, and ecstasy. But it wasn’t simply about pleasure, the Bacchanalia also had a political function. The image constructs meaning through references to classical antiquity, a common practice in the Dutch Golden Age. The choice to depict a Bacchanaal may reflect the social conditions of the time. The Netherlands, having recently gained independence from Spain, was experiencing a period of economic prosperity and cultural flourishing. The scene could represent a celebration of newfound freedom and abundance. Art historians consult a range of sources to better understand artworks like this: period literature, social histories, and the writings of contemporary scholars. The meaning of art is always contingent on the social and institutional context in which it is made and viewed.