Bacchus and Ariadne 1907

Maurice Denis made this painting, Bacchus and Ariadne, with oil on canvas, but when, exactly? It doesn’t say. Looking at its mosaic-like surface, I can imagine him building up the painting bit by bit, maybe outside on the beach where the scene is set. The colour palette is beachy, too: pinks, yellows and blues, with a few touches of red, for the accents. I’m drawn to the figures, who are clearly having a lovely time on the beach. I’m trying to work out what the figures are doing; lounging, playing, splashing about in the sea. The artist clearly had a vision here, and it seems like one of carefree joy. But like, who are these people really? It could be just a bunch of family members, or maybe Denis was picturing some figures from ancient mythology. It's not always important to know who the artist was thinking of. To me, it’s more about how this painting makes me feel and think. And right now, looking at this painting, I’m feeling pretty good!