The Wedding Feast of Bacchus and Ariadne 1704 - 1714

Guy Louis Vernansal the Elder created this drawing of “The Wedding Feast of Bacchus and Ariadne” with pen and brown ink, heightened with white, on prepared paper. The work depicts a scene of revelry celebrating the union between Bacchus, the god of wine, and Ariadne, abandoned on the island of Naxos by Theseus. Vernansal's image reflects the complex social dynamics of his time. The figures, with their idealized forms, embody the era’s fascination with classical antiquity, yet their passionate interactions reveal a society grappling with questions of pleasure and excess. Vernansal, situated within the French court, navigates the intricate dance between classical idealism and the lived experiences of his contemporaries. Note the emotional intensity captured in the figures’ gestures—a testament to the human experience. It is a celebration, but one that also reflects the societal norms and expectations of its time.