Figürlich verzierter Deckelportal mit bekrönender Bacchusstatuette 1580 - 1600

Giorgio Vasari created this ink drawing of a richly ornamented lidded vessel in 16th century Italy, a time when artists were increasingly celebrated as intellectual figures. We see an elaborate design, crowned by a statuette of Bacchus, the Roman god of wine and ecstasy. The vessel itself is adorned with figures, including what appear to be sea nymphs. Consider the social function of such an object. It would have been commissioned by a wealthy patron, perhaps for display or use during lavish banquets. The imagery evokes themes of abundance, pleasure, and classical learning, all markers of elite status. Vasari himself was deeply embedded in the artistic institutions of his time. He is known for his biographies of artists, which helped to shape the canon of Renaissance art. His drawing reflects the values of a society that prized both artistic skill and classical erudition. To fully understand this drawing, we might research the patronage networks of the time or examine inventories of Renaissance households. The history of art is inseparable from the history of social life.