Bacchus met mand vol vruchten 1679 - 1728

Jean-Baptiste de Poilly created this print of Bacchus holding a basket of fruit sometime around the turn of the 18th century. It offers a window into how classical mythology was reshaped and reinterpreted in early modern France. We see Bacchus, the Roman god of wine, fertility, and theatre, reimagined through the lens of the French court. His idealized, muscular form is reminiscent of ancient statuary, but the setting – a carefully arranged, almost theatrical landscape – reflects the French aristocracy's fascination with controlled nature. During this period, depictions of mythological figures often served as allegories for power, pleasure, and abundance, reinforcing the social hierarchy. The French Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture, founded in 1648, played a crucial role in standardizing artistic styles and themes, shaping the visual culture of the time. To truly understand this print, one must delve into period literature, social commentaries, and the history of the Academy. The image reflects how art was used both to celebrate and to subtly negotiate the complex social dynamics of the era.