Statue: Bacchus, called The Sardanapalus 18th-19th century

Curator: Here we have Antoine Alexandre Morel's "Statue: Bacchus, called The Sardanapalus," housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: There's a captivating stillness about this image. The figure's pose, the neutral palette, it all creates a very contemplative mood. Curator: Bacchus, the Roman god of wine and ecstasy, is fascinating here. The title links him to Sardanapalus, a figure of excess and decline, layering complexity onto the god's usual associations. The torch in his raised hand, a symbol of illumination or perhaps destruction, creates an interesting tension. Editor: The artist's control of light and shadow is masterful. Note how the drapery cascades, shaping our view of the form. The tonal gradation gives the sculpture such depth. Curator: The image resonates across centuries, reflecting shifting ideas of pleasure, power, and the divine. Editor: Absolutely, it's more than just a classical study; it's a carefully constructed visual argument.